Mayor’s dog has run of city hall

TOLEDO BLADE

TOLEDO — The city’s first dog can continue to wander the offices of city hall and lounge on the floor during official meetings.

The executive director of the Ohio Building Authority, which owns Government Center, gave official permission this week for Mayor Carty Finkbeiner’s dog, Scout, to retain his title as pet of the 22nd floor.

Mark Gibson, executive director of the building authority, said Scout is allowed to be in the city’s leased space in the building.

A letter from Gibson said the dog may have access only to city of Toledo-leased spaces and common areas, such as hallways, elevators and lobby.

Scout has to be on a leash at all times when he is in common areas, Gibson said.

Last month, Michael Sullivan, manager of Government Center, told Finkbeiner that tenants in the state-owned building are not permitted to take their pets to work with them.

In a letter, Sullivan asked Finkbeiner to “immediately refrain” from bringing Scout to work. He cited the safety and well-being of the 1,200 other people working in the building for barring pets.

But the yellow Labrador retriever was allowed to be in the building while an agreement resolving the dispute was reached.

Finkbeiner started taking Scout with him last December. Finkbeiner and his wife, Amy, adopted the dog that was trained by Assistance Dogs of America in Swanton, Ohio. However, Scout has arthritis, which keeps him from being used as an assistance dog.

The dog has free run of the 22nd floor, is often walked during the day by the mayor’s staff and sometimes accompanies Finkbeiner on trips out of the building.