Restaurants in the city of Houston are allowed to permit their customers to dine with their dogs.

The Paws on Patios program allows restaurants to get permits for dogs to have dinner in the patio area.

"This is absolutely a win for animal lovers," Mayor Annise Parker said. "The only regret I have is it took so long to get here. We should have done this faster."

Ziggy's on Fairview Drive was the first restaurant to get a permit.

"We had two people complain they didn't really want to have to share the patio with the dogs," said Kevin Strictland of Ziggy's. "I said that's fine ? sit inside."

Restaurants have apply to be part of the program and pay a $110 pre-inspection fee. They must also comply with sanitation requirements to ensure that a health hazard or nuisance will not occur.