Dog-friendly Bars Win Legal Battle Against Florida Department of Health
Via WUSF Public Media
Summary
In June 2023, an administrative law judge ruled in favor of two Florida dog-friendly bars — Pups Pub Tampa and Pups Pub Orlando — in their legal battle against the Florida Department of Health. The Department had attempted to block dogs from the establishments citing sanitation regulations, but the judge found the agency had not properly gone through the required rulemaking process to enforce the ban.
The case began after both locations were cited for violations related to having dogs on the premises, despite having obtained sanitation certificates permitting alcohol service without food. The 2023 ruling was a significant win for the pet-friendly hospitality industry, though the state subsequently appealed the decision.
