Grocery Store Laws Regarding Dogs
There are several laws and regulations which prevent the presence of animals in businesses that prepare, sell, or serve food. The good thing about this is that there are exceptions for patrons who are accompanied by a service dog. All grocery store management and staff should be prepared to work with and accommodate customers who have service animals, while enforcing health and sanitation laws.
State and local laws generally prohibit animals from entering grocery stores. Just think about it. Food is prepared and sold in these businesses, and the presence of an animal could pose a sanitation risk. Most people understand that dogs (outside of service animals) are not allowed in grocery stores. However, you may be surprised to see that people may try to bring their dogs inside anyway. The most obvious way to keep pets out of stores is to place a sign at the entrance.
As mentioned before, federal law does allow people with disabilities to bring their service dogs into grocery stores. The unfortunate thing is that there is some confusion about what qualifies as a service animal, which occasionally causes ill will between store owners and customers. There is often confusion between a service animal and an emotional support animal. The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all business owners, including grocery store owners, allow service dogs in their facilities. Unfortunately, the same is not true for patrons who have emotional support animals.
It is no lie that many people are strongly attached to their dogs. It makes sense for business owners to make some accommodations for pets. Some of these accommodations may include permitting dogs in outdoor seating areas such as beer gardens or patios, placing water bowls outside the business so that dogs can stay hydrated, or filling a cookie jar with dog treats and placing it at the register, encouraging customers to take a treat for their pup.
In summary, laws and regulations prevent animals from entering establishments such as grocery stores. However, per the ADA, service animals are allowed. The next time you see a dog in a grocery store, they are probably a service dog…or they should be at least!
