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Who kicked the dogs out?

First, they expelled Duke from One-Eyed Mike's.

Then, the city pulled rank at Captain Larry's, turning the dog-friendly establishment --- and home of the top fund-raising "pack" at last months SPCA March for Animals --- into a dog-free one.

Now, the city has gone and laid down the law at what was the best-known dog-friendly restaurant in Baltimore.

Dogs are no longer allowed at the Dog Pub.

The Dog Pub, on Cross Street, is better known as the Thirsty Dog Pub, the name it operated under in Federal Hill until earlier this year, when the unrelated Thirsty Dog Brewery in Ohio told it to stop using its name, or else.

Then, the week before last, state liquor board agents told the restaurant to rid itself of dogs.

After this, will it just be "Pub?"

In recent months, city health inspectors, citing a sometimes-enforced, sometimes-not, state law that bans animals from all restaurants and bars --- even outdoor ones --- have given similar warnings to more than a dozen bars and restaurants.

Failure to comply can lead to suspension or revocation of their licenses.

A city Health Department spokeswoman insisted no "crackdown" is under way, and said their inspectors issued the warnings only after getting citizen complaints about the presence of dogs at the establishments. The spokeswoman said she was unable to provide figures on how many warnings have been issued this year.

At the Dog Pub, though, it was a team from the liquor board that informed management that all dogs had to be removed. According to people who were in the bar during the visit, the agents ordered the dogs out, then returned 10 minutes later to repeat the message even more firmly.

The owner of the bar declined to comment to The Sun, but if you spend some time there, perhaps enjoying one of their fine pizzas, and you can see business is down --- at least with the doggie set.

Customers arriving with their dogs are being turned away from the restaurant, which has allowed dogs since it opened in 2002 and is included on numerous Web sites listing "pet-friendly" establishments.

Maryland State law prohibits animals in restaurants. To be exact, it says:

Live birds or animals may not be allowed in any area used for (the) storage, preparation, or serving of food, or for the cleaning or storage of utensils, in toilet rooms, employees' dressing rooms or areas, in vehicles used for transporting food, or in any other area of facility physically connected with the food-service establishment's operations. Guide dogs accompanying blind or deaf persons shall be permitted in customer service areas.

State Del. Dan Morhaim, a Baltimore County Democrat, took a shot at changing that law three years ago, proposing that restaurants that want to allow dogs, in specified areas or even during specified times, be allowed to do so.

Morhaim, noting that travelers with pets are the fastest growing segment of the tourism market, saw the measure as reasonable and business-friendly, but most people just laughed at the idea.

"The idea completely got lost in the silliness," he said this week. "It just wasn't worth the fight."

He seemed to have little interest in giving it another shot.

Health officials and others opposed to dogs in restaurants say their concerns relate to fleas, feces, urine and shedding, and the disruption that a big dog could cause.

Supporters point to Europe, where people bring their dogs to restaurants often. They say the possibility of a well-trained dog passing on infection or disease in a restaurant is slim. Some say that their dog's hygiene is better than that of a lot of humans they come across.

Then there's this question: If a pet in a restaurant is such a serious health issue, should every American family with a dog and/or cat in its kitchen be concerned?

Passions run high on both sides of the issue, and I'm guessing we will see some of it here.

What do you think? Click here to publish your opinion.

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