Dogs No Longer Allowed Inside Picaroons

A much-loved tradition at an uptown Saint John taproom has been kiboshed, drawing disappointment from local residents.

Picaroons General Store announced Friday that dogs and other pets are no longer allowed inside its Canterbury Street location.

Officials said the change, which does not apply to service animals, stemmed from a customer complaint made to Public Health.

“We have been told by officials at NB Public Health that animals are no longer allowed inside spaces ‘where food is consumed,'” Picaroons owner Sean Dunbar wrote in a post on the Picaroons Brewing Company Facebook page.

No food is served at Picaroons General Store but customers often bring in food purchased from Pomodori Pizzeria next door.

Dunbar said he does not agree with the “heavy-handed decision” by Public Health and chalks it up to an “incorrect interpretation” of the provincial regulations.

“The decision will undoubtedly affect any other place that has been able to welcome pets to participate in safe socializing during this pandemic,” wrote Dunbar. “I’ve asked to be made aware of the appeal process and I’ll keep you posted.”

According to Picaroons, the policy change will also apply to its Fredericton Roundhouse location.

Reaction to Friday’s announcement was swift. Social media posts from Picaroons have drawn hundreds of comments, with most expressing disappointment in the decision.

An online petition was launched through Change.org calling for discussions with Public Health to keep Picaroons a dog-friendly establishment. It had garnered more than 2,000 signatures as of Friday evening.

In a statement issued late Monday, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said dogs are only allowed inside a licensed food premises if the dog is a service animal specifically trained to assist people with disabilities.

Bruce Macfarlane said the policy only applies to businesses that are a licensed food premises.

“If a business does not have a food premises licence, then our rules don’t apply. If people bring their own food into an unlicensed food premises, then our policy would also not apply,” Macfarlane wrote in an email.