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.
