A Halifax craft brewer has launched a petition to bring pooches into his pub, saying the provinceB次元官网网址檚 regulations are too unfriendly to dogs.

Ian Lawson, co-owner of Brightwood Brewery, says an anonymous complaint led a provincial inspector to order an end to his practice of allowing patrons to bring dogs into his establishment.

The 34-year-old entrepreneur said in an interview that dogs are valued companions who should be welcome in the taproom, provided they are friendly and under control.

B次元官网网址淲e believe dogs are family members,B次元官网网址� he said in an interview on Monday. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 part of the craft brewing culture to be able to sit down and have a pint with your dog.B次元官网网址�

Lawson adds he accepts regulations requiring that animals be kept away from food preparation areas for health and safety reasons.

However, his petition is calling on the provinceB次元官网网址檚 Environment Department to rewrite regulations that ban animals B次元官网网址� other than service animals and aquarium fish B次元官网网址� from the entire restaurant premises.

In the case of his pub, food preparation is limited to reheating meat pies and samosas B次元官网网址� and the dogs were required to stay out of the area where the dishes were prepared.

Nova Scotia regulations clearly state, B次元官网网址滱n operator must not permit any live animal to be in a food establishment,B次元官网网址� with the exception of B次元官网网址漚 guide animal, if permitting the guide animal to enter does not pose a risk of contaminating the food.B次元官网网址�

The craft brewer said heB次元官网网址檇 like to see the rules changed to give inspectors latitude to decide on a case-by-case basis whether the presence of dogs poses any risk to food safety.

He cites legislation in B.C., which allows exemptions for B次元官网网址渁ny other animal that a health officer determines will not pose a risk of a health hazard occurring on the premises.B次元官网网址�

Meribeth Burton, a spokeswoman for the Health Department in B.C., wrote in an email: B次元官网网址漁ur legislation does allow for animals in food establishments. However, it is not commonplace in British Columbia.B次元官网网址� She said it is ultimately up to health authorities and their inspection teams to make a judgment call.

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A spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Envirnoment Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lawson said dogs had caused no problems since he opened in October 2018, other than a single incident of a dog that was barking and snarling. The owner was asked to leave after he refused to put the dog on a leash.

Since the inspectorB次元官网网址檚 visit two weeks ago, the brew pub has been turning dogs away, fearing the loss of its wider operating licence if it doesnB次元官网网址檛 comply.

Lawson estimated about 30 people and their dogs have been told they canB次元官网网址檛 come in since the inspectorB次元官网网址檚 visit, adding that he misses seeing them.

B次元官网网址淚t brought everyone joy being able to see a happy dog, and give the dog a pat on the head,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he good possibilities outweigh the bad.B次元官网网址�

His had attracted more than 2,000 signatures Monday afternoon.

Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press

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