Are Non-Service Dogs Allowed in Food-Selling Stores?

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You may have seen small dogs enter places that sell food such as groceries and retail stores. You also want to know if there are any laws that permit your pup from entering restaurants. The answer is no. Pets aren’t allowed to enter restaurants according to federal and state law.

This is due to food safety rules. Allowing an animal to enter food service establishments could hold that the restaurant and animal owner in violation of the mandates. Service dogs are indeed allowed to enter these establishments only, “If their presence is unlikely to result in contamination of food, food-contact surfaces or food-packaging materials,” said Brian Long, public affairs director for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Source: StarNews Online


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