Thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo, dog-owners can now dine with their pooches. On Monday night, Cuomo signed a "Dining with Dogs" bill, now making it legal for dogs to dine with their owners in outdoor patios of willing restaurants. All dogs are required to be leashed and establishments have the liberty to opt out of this dog-friendly option.

“This action will give restaurants an additional option to boost revenue and grow their businesses by appealing to this new audience of dog-owning New Yorkers and their four-legged friends,” Cuomo said.

Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon, a supporter of the bill, referred to a published 2013 study in the Journal of Environmental Health. The findings from the study helped researchers to conclude that there was very little to no health risks from having dog in outdoor dining areas. As long as stringent and proper sanitary practices were in place, the presence of dogs didn't prove to be a problem.

Backers of the measure made sure to emphasize that this law would not disregard any safety and sanitary codes. Dogs and their owners will have to be led through an alternative entrance so that dogs won't enter inside the restaurant and won't be allowed around places where food is being prepared outdoors. As the bill prohibits the use of communal water bowls for dogs, only "single-use disposable containers" will be allowed.

New York is following the lead of similar laws that have been passed in states like Florida, California, and Maryland. It's truly a win-win situation, as canines will now be able to dine with their owners and restaurants will reap the financial benefits from this additional flexibility.

So let's break out the leashes and take our furry friends with us to the next Sunday brunch!

Check out a comprehensive list of dog-friendly restaurants in NYC here.