ORLANDO, Fla. — A state appeals court this week stayed an administrative law judge’s ruling supporting Tampa and Orlando bars in a dispute over whether to allow dogs in the establishments.
A panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal, in a 2-1 order Monday, granted a request to stay Administrative Judge Lynne Quimby-Pennock’s June 15 decision.
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The Health Department took the case to the Tallahassee Court of Appeals after Quimby-Pennock ruled the department did not properly review a rule preventing Pups Pub Tampa and Pups Pub Orlando from allowing customers to bring pets to dog-friendly bars.
The order does not explain the court’s reasoning, but the majority consisted of Justices Rachel Nordby and Adam Tanenbaum, while Justice Susan Kelsey dissented.
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The case focused on health certificates that county health departments, overseen by the state Department of Health, issue to facilities.
Pups Pub Tampa, for example, obtained a health certificate in December 2020, with an agreement that it would not serve food.
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Additionally, the pub has taken steps such as installing a gate to prevent dogs from entering the drinks serving area. But in June 2022, the Tampa Bar was cited for a violation related to having dogs in the business.
The Orlando bar, meanwhile, received a certificate of sanitation and opened in July 2022, but was cited for violations less than a month later, according to Quimby-Pennock’s ruling.
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Quimby-Pennock said the Department of Health did not properly follow the process to pass a rule that would prevent dogs from entering bars.
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