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Gervasi Vineyard forced to cancel Pups on the Patio events indefinitely

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Gervasi Vineyard in Canton is canceling its popular Pups on the Piazza and Pups on the Patio events after a public complaint was filed.

According to General Manager Scott Swaldo, the city health department ordered that they stop hosting the events.

"We are very disappointed and surprised to learn that this popular experience and common practice around the state must end at our venues," Swaldo said in a statement.

In Ohio, it's currently illegal for a live animal to be in the area of a retail food establishment or food service operation. However, as News 5 reported in June, many restaurants don't enforce this rule, as long as the dog is not creating a nuisance.

House Bill 263 is working to change that. 

The law would "generally allow an owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog to take the dog in an outdoor dining area of a retail food establishment or food service operation."

Social media users had mixed emotions about Pups on the Piazza being shut down. 

"That's ridiculous!! Dogs are welcomed in many states on patios & not just on 1 day!! The person that has ruined that 1 day for dogs & their humans should be ashamed!!" wrote one person. 

"My personal opinion is that there are certain places and times for pets," wrote another. "Not everyone shares the same love of animals, especially strangers' animals."