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.
Why’d you **** out “gosh’s,” Slings?
He is too cute—he looks almost identical to our chocolate lab mix Joey.
I wouldn't want to overcome any FReepers' delicate sensibilities.
How come I can have a lady shopping in my local Wal Mart with a Parrot on the handlebars of her rascal?
Thank you for painting that vivid portrait.
it’s true
I don’t doubt it in the slightest.
You are too kind. “Gosh” is kind of harsh, if you’ll pardon my language. [blushes]
AWWWWW!!!!!!
I’ve seen Joey and Sammy (our female black lab) lay like that together. Joey is such the gentleman that he lets Sammy put her head on him :)
" I found a leaf! I found a leaf!"
A hairnet!
Yes it is. Love me some lab.
Well, some of us are quite allergic (as I only discovered in the last few years that I’m very allergic to dogs and cats), and it does make a difference. I’ve stopped shopping in certain stores because of this.
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