Michigan hot dog vendor loses case, will appeal

MONROE, Mich. (AP) - After a three-year legal fight, a dispute over a Monroe hot dog stand is moving to a federal appeals court.

Owners of The Dog Pound are appealing a decision that dismissed their lawsuit against the city. They claim Monroe violated their rights by not allowing them to operate the hot dog stand in a busy downtown area.

Detroit federal Judge David Lawson recently ruled in favor of Monroe. He says The Dog Pound failed to offer evidence that an ordinance regulating transient merchants violates the U.S. Constitution.

The owners claim Monroe won't allow the hot dog cart in certain areas because other food businesses fear competition.