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New York's pooches are one step closer to getting in on the city's al fresco scene. A bill that would allow dogs to accompany their humans legally to outdoor cafes just passed the state Assembly today in a 97-5 vote, reports the Daily News. The bill already has approval from the state Senate, so it's now on its way to Governor Cuomo's desk. So far, Cuomo has remained mute on the issue.
There have been a few naysayers including, unsurprisingly, the Department of Health, which worries that the pups could cause some food contamination problems. A nearly identical law was passed in California a year ago — and dogs have long been allowed at cafes in many European cities — and there's been no issue. The DOH has been unsuccessful at stopping the bill, but there's a chance that they will be able to impose a no dog rule within the city. Stay tuned.