Dog Fetches Big Fines
I guess Florida doesn’t have enough crime and other problems. Seems like they must have funding problems as well. State officials have to go after a woman and her Yorkie to pass their time and raise funds. Check out this article from Florida Today.
Shop dog fetches $5,100 fines
Owner keeps Yorkshire terrier at barbershop
BY JOHN A. TORRES
FLORIDA TODAYTITUSVILLE – Nestled among a television repair shop, a dog groomer, a sign-maker and a storefront ministry, you’ll find Satey’s Barber Shop, offering everything from a crew cut to a trim at the Hopkins Street location since 1981.
A mainstay for the past six years is Satey’s dog — a Yorkshire terrier named Snoopy who spends her days lounging, yawning and greeting customers who come armed with homemade doggie treats.
But after having a dog in various barbershops since 1965, owner Lucey “Satey” Higginbotham faces fines of more than $5,100 for repeatedly violating the state regulation that prohibits pets because of sanitary reasons.
“I couldn’t understand it,” the 82-year-old said of the letter she recently received from the from Department of Business and Professional Regulation. “I can’t even describe the feeling.
“There’s nothing left over at the end of the month when we pay all our expenses for the shop and our home. I couldn’t even sell the equipment here in the shop for $5,000.”
The state argues that it’s Higginbotham’s refusal to comply with the law that drove the fines so high. State inspectors found the dog in the shop the past three Novembers on routine visits, and she paid $400 in fines the past two years.
But she kept bringing the dog in, and the penalty skyrocketed.
“I think it’s insane,” said her daughter, Dorothy, who now runs the day-to-day operations of the barbershop. “Our customers love the dog. Sometimes they just stop by and visit with the dog and bring her a treat. If you ask me, this is totally crazy.”
Follow this link to read the rest of the story.
I totally agree with the daughter. It’s a BEAUTY SHOP, for goodness sake! They aren’t performing surgical procedures or mixing food! There’s probably more hair on the floor of the shop than on Snoopy! Besides, one of the main functions of a beauty shop is to make women feel comfortable and relaxed. Nobody does that better than a friendly dog!
Maybe it’s time to start re-thinking some of those archaic laws and grow up! Even the Florida outdor eateries can allow dogs to sit with their humans. Don’t you think it’s time friendly, socialized dogs were allowed in more public areas? Like beauty shops?
