No more dogs at Eastern Market: Dog ban to be enforced in market sheds this weekend

DETROIT (WXYZ) - When you head to Detroit's Eastern Market this weekend, organizers are asking that you leave one thing at home: Your dog. The market will begin to enforce a ban on dogs in the market's sheds.

In an announcement made Thursday, the Eastern Market Corporation said they would begin to enforce a policy that had already been posted on signs around the market.

Until now, the ban on dogs inside the market's sheds had not been enforced. That will change on Saturday, February 2, 2013.

"Eastern Market has several licensed food vendors in our sheds and stalls," the statement said. "We want to keep them around, so Fido has to go."

Market organizers point out that state regulations prohibit dogs and other animals from being near food establishments.

Organizers say they will make an exception for service dogs.

FULL STATEMENT FROM EASTERN MARKET CORPORATION:

Effective February 2nd,

EMC will begin to enforce a policy of no dogs under the sheds or in vendor stalls and we wanted to give a “heads up” to all of our Friends.  This policy will seems new to many because, although we had signs posted, we didn’t do much to enforce the rule until now.  Animals are not permitted in or near food establishments licensed by the MDARD (Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development).  And, as many of you know Eastern Market has several licensed food vendors in our sheds and stalls. The burritos, Mac n’ Cheese, coffee, beignets and other delights provided by these vendors have been a hit with our customers. We want to keep them around, so Fido has to go.

Thanks for understanding and we appreciate your support.