Pinchers exec responds to frenzy surrounding dog on table

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. – Pinchers Crab Shack said Wednesday it won’t be allowing dogs in its restaurants statewide after negative reaction to a photo of a woman who allowed her dog on the table at the restaurant on 28580 Bonita Crossings Blvd.

“Effective immediately, Pinchers will no longer be allowing pets in any of our dining areas,” the company said in a statement. “Pinchers has always been, and will continue to be, committed to providing the best Florida Seafood and Florida Style dining experience. Guests who require a service animal will always be welcome at our locations.”

Previously, the patio area of the restaurant was dog-friendly, Pinchers Executive Kevin Rooney said, but having an unleashed dog on the table was not permitted.

“Most dog owners certainly know the rules and types of things you do with your dog and certainly having the dog on the table is not condoned,” he said.

The woman, whose picture sparked local conversation about Pinchers’ policy, did not adhere to what many consider a common courtesy.

“The dog was sitting on the table, laying on the table, the lady was feeding the dog on the table, and in fact several times fed the dog out of her mouth on the table,” Gene Scriven, who took the photo, said.

He complained to restaurant staff, who tried to tell the woman to remove her dog from the table. Rooney said they asked the customer several times, but there was a language barrier.

“The guest was a foreign guest but was asked multiple times to take the dog down and subsequently asked to leave and they paid their bill and did so,” Rooney said.