LITITZ, Pa. - The Bulls Head Public House and General Sutter Inn, two popular adjacent Main Street destinations in Lititz, will no longer allow dogs in their patio areas following a customer complaint to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The restaurants, which have the same ownership, made the announcement on its Facebook page last Friday.
"This past week, a customer filed a formal complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding dogs on patio at the Bulls Head and Sutter," the statement read. "The DOH informed us that if dogs are permitted on the patio where food is served, we will be found non-compliant and will not pass inspection.
"Starting today, dogs and other peets will no longer be allowed on the patio at the Bulls Head and General Sutter Inn. We love our four-legged friends, and have long been a dog-friendly establishment, but this is an unfortunate circumstance that is beyond our control.
"We hope you understand and we apologize to the many families who have brought their dogs here for years and years."
Patrons have already been making adjustments. Edward and Wanda McFarlane of Lititz say they are frequent customers at the Bulls Head and went there Friday before walking their dog, rather than just taking her to the pub as they normally would.
"We often do spontaneous walks, and it's nice just to stop by with our dog if we're walking and we decide to swing by and get a pint, and we can't do that now," Wanda McFarlane said.
"I know [inspectors] were going for health safety and code violations and stuff, but the dogs are outside," Edward McFarlane added. "There's worse on the street than dogs."