GREENSBORO, North Carolina — You may love taking Fido out to the local brewery, but Guilford County Health Department says that's actually a no-no.
Joymongers said in a Facebook post on Thursday that they were recently served with a written warning from the Health Department about letting dogs in the brewery taproom. Joymongers said dogs are still welcome to be on the patio areas.
We called Guilford County Health Department to find out more. They told us that no dogs in restaurants has always been the rule, and they are reminding several other businesses after hearing complaints of pets in other counties - specifically, at the Joymongers in Forsyth County.
Sandy Ellington with the Guilford County Health Department says even though Joymongers and other breweries aren't necessarily known as restaurants, they still fall under the same rules as restaurants.
"We all follow the state rules from the same rule book," said Ellington.
She says if a place serves food or drink in any kind of container (like glassware) that has to be cleaned and is reused, the business needs a food service permit. And most places that need a food establishment permit are classified as restaurants. Taprooms and breweries can also be classified as a drink stand, but are under the same rules as a restaurant when it comes to pets.
No pets inside, only service animals.
Restaurants and bars that are permitted as private clubs, like The Bearded Goat, are exempt from this and other restrictions.
Representative John Haridster doesn't think that's fair and in a Facebook post he said his team will work to bring legislation to make sure the businesses like Joymongers have control on whether or not they want pets inside.
The Barking Deck in Greensboro found a way to get around that.
It's the Triad's first indoor dog park. Beer is also sold there, but the business is classified as indoor recreation.
Owner Paula Dozier says she heard about the crackdown in other counties and actually worked with the Guilford County Health Department to make sure her place was within code.