New California law allows dogs to dine out

(08-21) 17:25 PDT SACRAMENTO -- Your dog can now join you for dinner out under legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, overturns a ban on pets at restaurants. While many cafes, brew pubs and steak houses have long allowed dogs on their decks and patios, technically it was illegal.

The legislation gives restaurants the option of permitting pooches in outside dining areas. Discretion to allow dogs, though, remains with the eatery.

Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, D-Davis, pushed the bill to clear up confusion about the legality of pets at restaurants. Many places were flouting the law.

The bill got only one no vote between the Senate and Assembly and may not have been a close call for the governor, who is often sighted with the "First Dog," Sutter Brown.

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New California law allows dogs to dine out