Ruling expected this spring on whether board can ban fish pedicures at Phoenix-area salon
By APTuesday, March 23, 2010
Ruling expected this spring in fish pedicure suit
MESA, Ariz. — A judge is expected to rule within two months on whether the Arizona Board of Cosmetology can ban the practice of using toothless carp to remove dead skin during pedicures at a salon in suburban Phoenix.
A lawsuit filed by government watchdog group the Goldwater Institute on behalf of Gilbert salon owner Cindy Vong challenges whether the state can ban Vong from using Garra rufa fish, which have no teeth.
The 2-inch carp are kept in tanks and used to bite off the calluses and dead skin on customers’ feet.
The cosmetology board says the practice is unhealthy, unsanitary and violates state statutes and board regulations. The board ordered Vong to stop providing pedicures using the fish in April 2008.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bethany Hicks heard the state board’s motion to dismiss the suit Monday and determined she needs more time to consider the matter.
Information from: East Valley Tribune/Scottsdale Tribune, www.eastvalleytribune.com
