HELENA — Public comment from enthusiastic pet owners helped shoot down a proposal to ban dogs from barbershops and salons in Montana.
The Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists voted unanimously Monday against moving forward with the proposal.
Lee Newspapers of Montana reports the vast majority of the more than 200 comments made on the proposal opposed the change.
The state ended a ban on dogs in barbershops in 2001 with requirements that the shops have insurance and the dogs be vaccinated.
The board proposed reinstating the ban, arguing that having animals in salons pose sanitation and safety concerns and that only service animals should be exempt.
Salon owner Janet Bierer of Hamilton told the board she wanted the matter settled for good and not raised again in a few years.