From the EVG inbox...
As is her way, Miss Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street was recently browsing the headlines when she came across the following — "Dogs Now Banned From The Gate In Park Slope."
Because of the somewhat alarmist headline and the urgent nature of the subject matter, she pawed through to discover what is going down in Park Slope:
The Gate, on Fifth Avenue and Third Street, has welcomed dogs since it opened in 1997, but owner Bobby Gagnon says he's never run into trouble with the city over his pro-pups policy.
That changed last Tuesday night when a city inspector visited the bar to investigate a 311 complaint about dogs in the facility, Gagnon said. The inspector issued a fine for allowing animals into the bar for an unspecified dollar amount — Gagnon will find out how much at a Nov. 18 hearing.
The city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
City law prohibits pet dogs in "food service establishments," but Gagnon argues that The Gate shouldn't be lumped into the same category as restaurants because it doesn't have a kitchen and doesn't serve food.
Miss Kita learned that supporters have created an online petition asking the city to revise the health code to reclassify bars that do not serve food ... making this more than just an issue in a Brooklyn neighborhood. (After all, several East Village bars have been welcoming to Miss Kita and her friends through the years.)
Miss Kita encourages her East Village neighbors to sign the petition on the Park Slope for Pets site here.
Meanwhile, Miss Kita has reached out to some Park Slope pooches directly to coalition build, consciousness raise, etc.
EVG note: Park Slope Stoop first reported on this ban.
23 comments:
Sorry, I think dogs should be kept out of businesses, believe it or not everyone loves dogs and passing a dogs on the street is very different from being in a business with one or more dogs. When angry dog lovers read this please keep in mind people have more rights than people's pets in such situations so be a responsible dog owner and respect you fellow human beings.
Run Kita, Run!
@anon 8:46
First of all, you non-doggers have well over 99.99% of the businesses in the city. If you seriously thing that it impedes your "rights" to begrudge a single space, out of tens of thousands, to the doggies, then you've got some serious issues.
Second of all, this is the internet and not everyone here is, in fact, a human. I'm an internet lizard, for example.
@Anon. 6:46 - if you don't like dogs you have plenty of opportunities to go into a bar that does not allow them, which is 99.99% of the drinking establishments out there. If you want to talk about "respecting your fellow human beings", realize that many of us love dogs and are pleased at the thought that in this city of eight million and counting, there was ONE BAR where we could go and sit among them, a bar which now, thanks to some meddling busybody who probably just moved to the city, has been enjoined from letting them in. Thank you, unknown whiner, for helping to turn NYC a little bit more into Disneyland.
I love a good bar dog.
Signed!! We need more establishments like The Gate!!
the reaction to my post at 8:46 is expected from "some" dog owners. I live near a children's playground which does not allow dogs. There is a sign on the gate in bold letters "No Dogs Allowed". This is a official sign from the parks department. When given the opportunity some dog owners decide to ignore this sign and bring their dog into the playground and let them do whatever. I have approached many of these dog owners giving them the benefit of the doubt that they missed the large sign and ask them if they are aware of the dog run just two blocks away in TSP. I get excuses like, "It just my dog which is really a good dog", "my do doesn't like the dog run there", "I thought is was okay since nobody was here when I came". I have nothing against dogs it is with people that think rules were made for others and it's okay because they are entitled to pick and choose. If people decided to bring their children into this bar would that be okay?
Businesses should be more welcoming to dogs; the laws surrounding establishments that serve food is ridiculous. Service dogs must be allowed - so is it a health threat or not? Restaurants and other businesses in Europe have allowed dogs for years; no one has died of dog germs as far as I know. My only issue with bars is that they are often quite loud (patrons and music especially) and people can stay for hours. Might not be a great place for dogs anyway.
@anon 8:46
Of course you are entitled to think what you like.
A few thoughts of mine. First, where I live now, dogs are not only welcome in a nearby pub, but one can buy snacks and bones at the bar for them. The dogs' presence adds to the charm and atmosphere and coziness of the place, they get plenty of pats and love, and it breaks the ice for shy patrons.
Another nearby pub... The owner has a dog, and its antics delights all the patrons. The dog makes the atmosphere warm and homey, and indeed I do feel as if I'm a guest in his home.
I remember a boutique on Broadway, where the Pottery Barn is. It was a grand, theatrical place... they had cats, dogs and I seem to remember, birds. As long as the animals were cared for and happy, I was fine with that. I also remember several Duane Reades had cats, until someone got clawed and then they all were gotten rid of.
Finally, one of my local pubs has no problems with children. During the World Cup, I drank my wine and watched my match. At the next table, a family enjoyed their beers while their kids played with toys and paper airplanes and ran around, stopping occasionally to watch the game.
I do understand your frustration at people not following rules, but I feel cookie-cutter rules limits the kinds of experiences one can have. Even though I'm not a dog person, seeing a pooch in a pub makes me smile.
It's possible to be a responsible pet owner, parent and respect your fellow human beings.
I say we follow the french and allow dogs into restaurants as well. A bar can still say no, but let the ones that want to have dogs have them.
there was a day when you could bring your dog to almost any local (east/west village) restaurant local and ear your meal in comfort as long as the dog stayed under the table. not the fancy fancy ones but the others. and bars (with or without food) of course.
the only problem i remember was when a man was beating his dog and folks did not think that was appropriate behavior.
over the years i watched the two sides of dog issues (sort of like religion). those who had dogs did not understand the restrictiveness of non dog owners. sometimes the discussions got very heated.
and while
i'm not sure why dogs should be prevented from paces although i understand those folks that would rather not share their space with dogs. sort of like not wanting to be in a smoking environment. okay -
why not just be content with having the choice and not forcing one view on another?
So all you mouthing off for individual choice agree we should be able to smoke cigarettes in bars. Sure some people might be allergic or scared of cigarettes or not want the ash on their clothes, or just not want to deal with it, but your desires come before theirs, of course. There is a real thread of entitlement here that is disturbing. Some people don't want your fucking dog sniffing at them.
@Anon. 8:46/10:15 - sorry there, Nostradamus, I don't own a dog. But I like 'em. And many people DO bring their children into bars, so I'm not sure what your statement goes to prove. In fact, there's usually an uproar when bar owners try to ban them. So your point is...?
@ Former East Villager
thanks for your point of view and I yes I have seen "pets" like the famous deli cats hanging out in stores although it is probably against some city rule. I have worked in a store which had a dog full time and it was never a problem until a customer decided to bring in their dog(s) so they could play which was a disaster. My point is how do you say to a customer "your dog is okay but that person's dog must leave"? It is better to stick to laws saying food establishments cannot allow non service dogs.
Here's an idea I think we can all agree on: A bar for pregnant dogs. Human owners will be tied with leashes to a post outside the bar and get to watch their dogs through the window as their pregnant pets enjoy delicious beverages while awaiting the birth of the next litter.
Perhaps just part of the bar could be designated as dog friendly. Just like how certain restaurants have an area designated for families and children.
Kita is looking quite stylish.....and has that "Fuck these stupid human laws" look down pat.
I agree!
Why not expand the idea of a dog section in a bar along side a kid's play spot, let's not leave out cats which will want a sunny spot near the windows, wait bird lovers we got you covered too, this man sized cage is perfect for a dozen birds but sorry pigeons you guys are just too dirty. Did I leave anything out? Oh yes, paying adults that want to get away from all this stupidity and have a drink with other adults.
And again, 5:55, adults who want to get away from stupidity (yr living in the wrong city for that, honey) have literally thousands of bars from which to choose. You really want to get away from stupidity? Stay in your apartment - although even that may not work, given your charming personality.
The fine is usually only a few hundred dollars. But, if someone patron is actively complaining, that means they'll be back. A *lot* of bars are still pooch friendly, despite the fine potential, but most do just fine because the patrons are supportive. While I totally support a shift in the health department laws treating non-food bars and restaurants differently, it's the public and the patrons that ultimately need to be behind allowing pets into a bar.
Wonder what was the exact catalyst for the complaint to the city... someone with allergies, or they got bit?
Lawsuit city as usual.
Giovanni, I don't know about the pregnant dog bit, but I'm sure there is a huge market here in manhattan for a place where owners can tie up their humans on leashes. I understand there is a whole subculture of people who enjoy acting and being treated as a slave. Its kind of weird we fight wars and kill children in their sleep so people can pretend they are slaves.
I don't see why some establishments couldn't be given special licenses allowing dogs on the premises. Bars that are interested could apply. People who love being around dogs could frequent these places, and please who don't love being around dogs don't have to patronize them. There would be issues that would have to be figured out involving insurance and who is responsible if a dog bites a patron or dogs bite each other. It would be best to require the bars purchase insurance to cover these, hopefully, rare instances.
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