Some dog lovers in Washington are fighting for the right to bring their pets inside bars and restaurants where alcohol is served, the Associated Press reported Jan. 24.

State Sen. Ken Jacobsen has introduced a bill that would lift a ban on dogs in eateries and taverns as long as they stay with their owners and are leashed and well-behaved. The final decision on allowing animals in, however, would remain with the establishment owners.

"There's all sorts of places you can bring animals now," said Jacobsen. "You can take dogs into hotels. My God, some people are carrying dogs in their purses. Why can't we have them in the bars?"

Because, "Animals don't use the toilet and they shed and they sometimes drool, and those are potential issues with food," replied Joe Graham of the Washington state Department of Health.

A hearing on Jacobsen's bill is scheduled for Jan. 30.