Posted on 12/04/2009 2:59:35 AM PST by Daffynition
Cody, a chocolate Labrador, has for months greeted customers at the Clearwater BP gas station and convenience store at U.S. 19 and Nursery Road. A St. Petersburg Times story introduced thousands more to the jovial pup.
But Thursday morning, a state health inspector stopped by and issued a warning to Karim Mansour, the store's owner: Remove the dog or the Health Department would declare all of Mansour's food products — mostly bottled sodas, Slim Jims and candy bars — unfit for consumption.
Mansour, who adopted 6-year-old Cody three years ago, had no choice but sign the warning. His primary violation: "prohibited animals present in a food establishment."
Mansour said he will leave Cody at home by Friday, but will try to find a way for his companion to stay.
"There's no way one of my dog's hairs are going to get into a bag of Doritos," he said.
The state's move against Cody disappointed his customers.
"People in the store hearing what was going on kind of made a little protest," Mansour said.
Readers commenting on the original Times story had predicted the authorities might act.
"The Health Department will be all over this soon, watch," wrote one reader.
Another responded: "I don't think the Health Dept. is worried about a Dog in A Gas Station (The WORD IS GAS STATION), It's not like the dog is serving fresh salad."
Unfortunately for Mansour and Cody, the Health Department did show up — although it wasn't the first time.
Mansour said that in November, his usual health inspector stopped by and gave the dog a pass, as the store serves only prepackaged food.
But this time, the health inspector's supervisor accompanied him and laid down the law.
"It was a nice gimmick. I like dogs, too, but it's not up to me. You're not allowed to have the dog here," Mansour recalled the supervisor telling him.
According to the Food and Drug Administration's food code, live animals may be allowed in stores in certain situations, provided that food contamination cannot result.
One such circumstance: "In areas that are not used for food preparation, storage, sales, display or dining, in which there are caged animals or animals that are similarly confined."
Whether that means a dog is allowed to sit with cigarette cartons behind a convenience store counter is something Mansour said he plans to sort out.
Tell me again why we need government.
Having dealt with Health Inspectors , I have found that each time they come they must find something wrong.
Hopefully it’s something small, easily fixed.
“Tell me again why we need government.”
To steal the income you earned honestly and hand it over to lazy scumbags who refuse to work. (Well, that’s one reason).
He looks like a “service dog” to me!
Full service!
What would happen if no health department existed?
What if there was food prep happening there? How about a little liberty, no? It is between him and his customers, many likely prepare food at home where their own dog lives.
In Paris, we ate a table away from another patron whose standard Poodle was served a bowl of rice. It was no problem and not disgusting, but then again, I am a liberty loving person who doesn’t eat off the floor.
Most Americans still eat at tables, although I’ve heard some eat at a TV tray, whatever that is.
Had the dog been left home the day of the inspection for whatever reason this never would have come up.
Government inspections are generally silly. Industry self-regulation, especially at the retail level, and competition (love those mavens) will do the rest.
Freakin self important twits.
"Twenty bucks on pump #2 and a pack of Marlboros? You got it!"
Health departments only go after those they can intimidate with fines.
The crap they let go with "ethnic" food establishments is unbelievable!
LOL. Perfect!
Looks kinda jowly for a lab...maybe some hound blood too?
It’s a toss up of who is worse ... another of my faves are the zoning-nazis.
sw
There would be total anarchy; dogs living with cats! Oh the inhumanity.....Actually we’d probably all be alot healthier.
“In rural Bavaria where I live”
Are you near the Bodensee? One of my favorite places on Earth.
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