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Virginia lawmakers pass bill allowing dogs inside breweries, wineries and distilleries

It's not a given that all breweries and wineries will allow dogs. Brew pubs that sell food cannot. And then there's the liability.

Dogs will soon be allowed inside Virginia breweries, wineries and distilleries, and that has some customers happy.

“I’m a dog lover and I think it’s fantastic. I absolutely love it," said Brandon Kinas, a customer at Ocelot Brewing Company in Dulles, Virginia. Dogs were regulars at Ocelot eight months ago. Then the state cracked down. They said dogs were allowed inside breweries or wineries.

“When the enforcement came down I was really upset because I have two dogs she was to come with me all the time and hang out. And all of our friends they would bring their dogs, it was a fun place," said Adrian Widman, owner and operator of Ocelot.

He used to bring Marley Moose with him to work everyday. She's a sweet mix of golden retriever and Samoyed. Now she’s stuck in the office if she comes.

Del. John Bell (D-87th) of Loudoun County proposed the legislation after winery owners told him they were losing business after the dog ouster crackdown.

Widman says he was always careful not to allow dogs in the manufacturing area where all of his fermenting tanks are named after rock ‘n’ roll front men. The new law mandates that dogs are to be kept out of these areas.

But both employees and customers at Ocelot seem excited about bringing their furry friends back to the tasting room.

"I remember coming in here seeing all the dogs and bringing my own in where’s awesome. Before the dogs got banned, I remember seeing them coming in when they were puppies and watching them grow," said employee Noel Fife.

RELATED: There’s a battle brewing in Maryland...over beer

It's not a given that all breweries and wineries will allow dogs. Brew pubs that sell food cannot. They're considered restaurants and dogs aren't allowed (unless they're service dogs).

And then there’s the liability. What if a dog bite someone? Widman says he'd love to bring dogs back, but his lawyers are advising against it.

If Governor Ralph Northam signs the legislation as expected, it will be law on July first.

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