Wag More Dogs mural lawsuit dismissed

A U.S. District Court judge has upheld Arlington county’s right to force the covering or removal of a mural of smiling, playful cartoon dogs. Judge Leonie M. Brinkema ruled that the 960 square-foot mural outside of Wag More Dogs, a dog day care and grooming service in Shirlington, was a form of advertisement and commercial speech. As such, it violated Arlington’s sign ordinance. Kim Houghton, owner of Wag More Dogs, had argued that the county’s decision to force her to cover up or remove the mural was a violation of her First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, and that Arlington was basing its decision on the content of the mural.