People taking their dogs to public places?

[fan-of-fans]

Has anyone noticed this happening a lot in your area? I've been noticing it here for the last few years. This doesn't bother me when people bring dogs to an outdoor area, especially smaller dogs. But I've started noticing people bringing dogs into stores and restaurants more often. Usually this is smaller dogs in shopping carts.

Last time I went to Walmart though, I was walking through the grocery area and a man was pushing his cart and walking a large dog, I think a golden retriever or a lab, on a leash.

I've also seen people bringing dogs into restaurants, which I'm pretty sure is a health violation unless it's a service dog. I wouldn't think dogs would be allowed in grocery stores either.

I guess they get away with it because the businesses are afraid to say anything and lose a customer. I do have a dog but I wouldn't bring her out in public unless it was in one of those enclosed dog strollers and I was outdoors.

I think Lowes and Home Depot allow pets in carts but didn't know other stores do.

 

[neptunebob]

I know of a nursing home in my area that allows dogs on the premises. Not only do the residents like it, but I think management figures a nursing home deals with so much sh!t anyway, what's a few dog turds?

 

[iowabear]

Emotional Support Animals

Folks around here are having their dogs classified as ESAs (pay a fee over the Internet and get a vest.)  They think this gives them the same rights as someone with an actual service dog under the ADA.  But in Iowa it does not.

 

Businesses here are allowed to ask if the dog is an actual service dog and which disability it's trained for.  If it's not an actual service dog they can deny access.  But in this age of social media most businesses are afraid to have employees quizzing customers about disabilities (imagine!) so the reality is that ESAs get treated the same as service dogs.

 

I like dogs and I'm always amused to see them out and about.  But there are a lot of over-excited dogs that aren't trained, and there will be more and more problems and a crackdown will come.

 

[lordkenmore]

I see a lot of people bringing dogs into stores with them here in Washington. This includes grocery stores. Grocery stores have signs up saying that only service animals are permitted; however, I get the feeling that the rule isn't actively policed. Indeed, I've seen at least one grocery store employee talking to someone with a dog. The dog could be a service animal, but, given that it was one of those cute little rat sized dogs, I'd very much doubt it. The employee seemed to be taking the oh, what a cute little dog! line.

 

I honestly have mixed feelings. I don't mind dogs. As for them posing a health risk, well, I sometimes think I worry more about the other humans. But...there are people with allergies. I've heard it can be really rough sometimes for employees of grocery stores who have a really bad dog allergy.

 

[lordkenmore]

I was amused by "My Dinosaur Is a Service Animal."

 

 

[thomasortega]

I have two dogs, my "daughters" Dolby and Miele. And yes, they are part of my family and like any other families my "daughters" go with me to Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Ikea, Sears, Target or any other store.

I totally agree the store must have the right to not accept dogs that are not service dogs, but also, I have the right to spend MY money in other place. If MY family is not welcome, I'll spend my money somewhere else. Simple as that. (and of course I'll write a super long negative review explaining why I'll never, ever, put my feet in a specific store so many other dog daddies will know in advance so they can spend their money somewhere else).

The only place I thought for a second I'd have a headache was at Ikea. Once an employee asked me if Dolby was a service dog. I said no, she's my emotional support dog and she's the boss choosing the furniture she'll spend most of her time sleeping, is there any problem?" (imagine that scene with lasers coming out of my eyes and fire coming out of my ears.) The employee immediatelly said "oh, no problem at all, I'm sorry She's so cute and friendly, what's her name?"

Everywhere they go, Dolby and Miele make friends. At Home Depot near home there's also a GIANT sign next to the door "Bring your pets, they're welcome here."

I am extremely allergic to cats and I really mean it. But as soon as I don't play with the cat, hug it, sniff it, absolutely nothing will happen. If I go to a store and there's a cat there, i just use one nourone to think "well, I should NOT grab that cute cat otherwise it will trigger an allergic reaction." But I simply can not discriminate other people just because they have cats in their families. a cat passing next to me in the supermarket will do no harm at all as soon as I don't breath inches away from the cat. Of course the daddies must have common sense to NEVER let furry kids jump in the meat or fish freezer.

Here in Los Angeles, specially in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills area, it's more than normal to see restaurants that not only welcome pets, but the busser also brings water for the dog. There's one at Santa Monica Boulevard, right in the "gay mile" that I love called Fresh Corn Grill, owned and operated by a group of firefighters that even have a dog menu. The food is amazing, the prices are fair (nothing fancy) and the staff is friendly specially with my daughters (I have to go there again soon because I didn't go there after Miele enteres my life)

My dogs are clean. They sleep with me, eat next to me and sometimes even go to the bathtub with me. Why would I discriminate them and leave them home just because a place doesn't accept dogs? They're part of my family and I refer to them as "my daughters". If companies want my money, they will have to deal with the whole package that includes my dog.

About a month ago, i needed to buy an "el cheapo" vacuum cleaner and I ended up choosing a Bissell just because of the package that had a dog. (Bissell donates $10 on every product sold to support dog shelters).
Guess what, between two similar crappy models with exactly the same price, the dog was the tie breaker factor. Thanks to that dog I ended up discovering an EXCELLENT vacuum cleaner. two days later I bought a portable upholstery extraction cleaner also excellent but I ended up returning because I realized I needed something bigger. Bissell had my money on a almost $300 revolution pet pro deluxe, their TOL carpet extraction cleaner full of bells and whistles because thanks to that dog on the Zing box I discovered Bissell products are not horribly crappy as I thought. And that machine surprised me again. I guessed it was "somewhat good" because of over 1000 positive the reviews, but I'd never imagine it was much more powerful than commercial units.

 

[arbilab]

Allergic to cats, but not if they're bathed.  Now, all I've gotta do is find a cat who will let me bathe it.

 

Pretty sure you can't get flu from a dog. 

 

Catch being, not everyone's dog is going to be clean and behaved.  What's allowed and not allowed likely comes down to legal precedent.  IOW, can you sue the store if a customer's dog bites you.  Will vary with jurisdiction.  The store's insurer will dictate the terms of their liability and that in turn sets policy.

 

Do I mind?  Not as long as I'm not the one bitten.  But I do think traipsing animals into commercial settings a bit inconsiderate.  There are people with a genuine fear of dogs.  At the same time, there are people subject to panic attacks for which a dog is a much-preferable solution than psychotropics.  Which does a business cater and which does it reject?  Not black/white.

 

I'd like to have a skunk and take it with me everywhere.  Probly meet a lot of very interesting people that way.  Get arrested in Texas.  Pet skunks are illegal, period.  Not altogether capricious.  Skunks can be a rabies vector, and there is not a skunk-specific vaccination.  Also, vets here are not trained in skunkology. 

 

MY skunk wouldn't have rabies.  Can't get it from in/outdoor carpet.  But how does anyone besides me KNOW that?  Does Purina make skunk chow? 

 

[mrb627]

Grocery Stores

I don't have a problem with people bringing their pets on outings with them, but a dog riding in a shopping cart at the grocery store is a NO NO!

In a grocery store, your dog should be walking on a leash or carried. NEVER in a cart where other shoppers will place food.

Malcolm

 

[launderess]

Here in NYC

By department of health ordinance it is illegal to bring dogs, cats, animals into any establishment that sells food for public consumption. This means supermarkets right down to restaurants and anything in between. Though the city did recently relax things so places with sidewalk seating can allow dogs, but not cats.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/press/pr2016/pr013-16.page

That being said majority of dog owners totally ignore signs posted on windows and doors (this despite they are growing larger) and waltz right into said stores with their pooch.

Some carry, others put in carts, others let Fido roam free and or on a lead. Problem for the store is that health department inspectors will issue a violation to the store in question; not actual person caught with dog where it shouldn't.

This all being said dogs in food selling/serving establishments is a huge deal across this country with businesses caught in the middle.

https://www.news-press.com/story/ne...dogs-grocery-stores/86008462/?from=new-cookie

If and or when they attempt to enforce local laws places get told off by dog owners. If they don't and or someone against seeing dogs where they shouldn't files a complaint, then local health department becomes involved.

 

[launderess]

Another thing about NYC

Is so many convenience stores, pharmacies, etc... sell food. Duane Reade, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, etc... So if you are out walking Fido and remember you need milk, eggs, toilet paper, detergent or even to pick up medication now there is a problem.

You can tie Fido up outside (and hope he isn't dog napped - it has happened)..

Take the pooch home and go out later for whatever is needed.

Just take the dog in store with you health laws be damned.

Guess which option a majority choose?

 

[turquoisedude]

This is not something one sees here in the wilds of southern Québec. A service dog once in a while but that's about it. I haven't shopped in Montreal proper for years now so I can't say if it has changed there.

I can't help but wonder if dog owners are bringing their dog along with them more now that there has been so much press about the dangers of leaving a pet in a hot car?

 

[iheartmaytag]

Now, all I've gotta do is find a cat who will let me bat

I quit giving my cats a bath. The hair kept sticking to my tongue.

I think grocery stores are like air-planes. People are using the "service animal" excuse to take their "pets" everywhere. A service animal is trained, and is there to serve the individual. In any case, service, or emotional support. If they are going to take them in the grocery store. Sit them in the same cart that I sit my groceries. Then they need to at least have the pet wear a service animal vest.

 

[twintubdexter]

My dogs don't go shopping with me

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">About a year or two ago, I was in a Walmart store (aka slumming) and stepped in a pile of dog poop. This had happened to me before in the same store. I took a shirt off the display rack, wiped my shoe off with it, and then went to the customer service desk and asked to see the store manager. After some time an individual showed up so I handed him the shirt and "explained" to him my experience in a business-like manner...totally foreign to Walmart. He told me that customers have a perfect right to bring their dogs in the store and that all Walmart associates are strictly forbidden to tell any customer otherwise. I haven't been in a Walmart store since. I'm sure the manager put the shirt back on the rack.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Don't blame the dog...</span>

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Disgusting! I work at a grocery store--where there is the paranoia over germs in shopping baskets & carts that these sanitizing wipes are supposed to alleviate fear of, that I, when I'm a shopper just close my mind to & abhor the need for--and do whenever the dispenser for them is empty expressing my great dislike...

But, so far, I've gone from boycotting my use of the hand baskets and the two-layered buggies that I'd seen dogs sitting in (the basket was either in the main area of the cart or I might have been in the baby seat of a full-sized cart--I forgot) to at least using the two-layered buggies for the convenience, though I mostly buy what I need a full-sized shopping cart for...

I see a trend, where people, regardless of the animals being needed to help elderly/handicapped/disabled to just be saved from being trapped in a hot vehicle & this going from a pet store (a pet SUPER store) where this should ONLY be the allowed norm, to unfortunately having to bear with this forever more--with no means to yet enforce...

And, when working, I hate having to touch abandoned shopping carts left by lazy customers, regardless (though at the self-checkouts are handy to handle the customers' order-overflow)...

-- Dave

 

[pulltostart]

I take Bethann with me only when I know she will be welcome at our destination.  For the most part that includes Home Depot and church.  At church, she attends committee meetings with me, but no worship services.  A couple of years ago I tried to take my two labs into the garden center at Lowes and encountered a sign prohibiting it, apparently that was a corporate decision (?), but if that's their policy, I comply.

 

lawrence