JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Diners who chose to eat outdoors at their favorite restaurants understand they're exposed to the elements, but soon they could also be exposed to K-9 customers.

The Jacksonville City Council held a public hearing Tuesday on whether dogs should be allowed at restaurants with outdoor seating.

"I do think that's OK, as long as there's a provision like a water bowl or keeping dogs close to their owners, and as long as they can't walk around," said Jim Provoncio, who supports dogs dining at area restaurants.

Tuesday's city council meeting was attended by both opponents and supporters of allowing dogs at restaurants where there's outside seating.

"You've passed laws that say you don’t want to tolerate smoke when you're eating in a restaurant, but I don’t want a dog to poop on my shoe while I'm eating, either," an opponent of the proposal said the meeting. "I don’t want to encounter flees while eating."

While many people said they wouldn't mind four-legged customers at the next table, others said they would.

"I have two dogs. But would I like dogs at restaurants? No. They continue to beg for food all the time and it would be annoying when you're trying to enjoy yourself out at night," said Angel Torres.

People in the restaurant industry remind Channel 4 that allowing dogs would remain up to individual businesses even if the council OK's K-9s.

"I work in a lot of restaurants, and it's fine. As long as they don't go through front door there should be no problem at all. Now, if the dog is misbehaved -- that's up to the discretion of the maitre'd though," one man said.

"I think it's fine. As long as the dogs leave 15 percent, then it's fine," said a man who wanted dogs to be treated like everyone else.

The city council is expected to vote on the proposal during its next meeting.