I see. But the permission is granted because the restaurant's staff is afraid to break the law.

They piss off some of their customers and probably loose some profits.

Is it legal for places like Walmart (or Whole Foods as the authors mention) where food is served? The trained dog exception is understandable but animals in general are known to convey diseases, I'm surpised that these places are not legally required to forbid any other animals.

EDIT: Section 114259.5 of the California Retail Food Code says that "live animals may not be allowed in a food facility." But it makes exceptions not just for service dogs but for "pets in the common dining areas of restricted food service facilities at times other than during meals."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-laz-dog-grocery-201410...