The dog lobby has prevailed with Picaroons General Store reaching an “understanding” with the province, which had recently banned people from taking their dogs there for a beer, a popular tradition at the uptown taproom.
“Hello Dog Lovers! We’re pleased to announce that an understanding has been reached and dogs are now welcome back inside at all Picaroons establishments under the same guidelines as before regarding leashes, etc,” according to a Picaroons post on Facebook.
“We’d like to thank everyone for all the online support and also our thanks to the folks at NB Health and NB Public Safety for working through this with us. We’re happy to have our pack back!”
Last Friday, Picaroons General Store had announced that dogs and other pets are no longer allowed inside its Canterbury Street location.
Officials said the change, which did 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 Facebook page last Friday.
No food is served at Picaroons General Store but customers often bring in food purchased from Pomodori Pizzeria next door.
Dunbar did not agree with the “heavy-handed decision” by Public Health and chalked it up to an “incorrect interpretation” of the provincial regulations.
Reaction to Friday’s announcement was swift. Social media posts from Picaroons drew 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.
Well, the dog lobby won this round and has the support of those who don’t even own a dog or suffer from allergies.
“Yay! Even as an allergy sufferer seeing cute pups is worth the flair up,” said one person on Picaroons’ Facebook page.
“Best news!!!” said another. “I don’t have a pup and looooooooved seeing all the pub pooches!!”
Dog Lovers! We’re pleased to announce that dogs are now welcome back inside at Picaroons establishments under the same guidelines as before. Thanks for the support and thanks to the folks at NB Health/NB Public Safety for working with us. Happy to have our pack back! pic.twitter.com/Sg9I9BXaow
— Picaroons (@picaroons) May 4, 2021
