Dogs In Stores -- What???

[RPM]

I went to the drugstore the other day. I saw a Papillon sitting in the child seat of the cart of the woman in line at the pharmacy counter. Pretty, clean-looking dog. But in a shopping cart at the pharmacy counter? Where people come to buy meds, not only for allergies?

No.

Yesterday I went to the drugstore. In the dairy aisle was a dog on a leash. Not in a cart, on the floor, on a leash.

I like dogs. But I do not like them in pharmacies or in grocery stores.

They used to be prohibited. I know about fake “service animals” that can go anywhere these days. But neither of these dogs was wearing a vest or a coat or a special harness identifying them as service animals.

Especially considering that even a housebroken dog may not be housebroken anywhere but in its own home, I REALLY don’t want these animals in my grocery store or drugstore. A pet store, OK.

But as to the housebroken aspect, I guess it’s no worse than a baby having its diaper changed in a rest room that can’t be sprayed down like a London sidewalk loo.

[shayaalliard]

Vest is not required for an actual service animal to have access. Many stores allow dogs that you would not think would, however grocery stores usually don’t. The store mgmt is really not able to do much though. If I walk in with a random dog, no vest, they are legally allowed to ask ONLY the following:

Is this a service animal?
What tasks does it perform?

They are not allowed to ask for ANY proof, to ask the animal to perform the task, or to inquire about the nature of the disability. They may only ask a dog to leave AFTER it has either messed in the shop or bitten at someone. Otherwise, If I lie and say yes, she turns on light switches for me, there is NOTHING they can do to ban my random dog. Most stores no longer even ask.

Idiots faking are ruining it for everyone.

[Dr_Doolittle]

@shayaalliard

Vest is not required for an actual service animal to have access. Many stores allow dogs that you would not think would, however grocery stores usually don’t. The store mgmt is really not able to do much though. If I walk in with a random dog, no vest, they are legally allowed to ask ONLY the following:

Is this a service animal?
What tasks does it perform?

They are not allowed to ask for ANY proof, to ask the animal to perform the task, or to inquire about the nature of the disability. They may only ask a dog to leave AFTER it has either messed in the shop or bitten at someone. Otherwise, If I lie and say yes, she turns on light switches for me, there is NOTHING they can do to ban my random dog. Most stores no longer even ask.

Idiots faking are ruining it for everyone.

Good LORD.

:rolleyes: :mad:

[Sugarwells]

@Dr. Doolittle

Good LORD.

:rolleyes: :mad:

Thank you, that is my reply to the OP also.

Is it really THAT big of a deal?

[JanM]

Taking animals in a grocery store, or food establishment can violate the health department rules, except for service animals of course.

[Dr_Doolittle]

@Sugarwells

Thank you, that is my reply to the OP also.

Is it really THAT big of a deal?

I was actually reacting to shay’s post about how prevalent “fake service dogs” are becoming.

[Sugarwells]

@Dr. Doolittle

I was actually reacting to shay’s post about how prevalent “fake service dogs” are becoming.

Ah ok. Well my comment remains the same.

[red_mares]

I want to move where the OP is, since she just noticed this. It’s been a thing for the last 5? years around here.

[S1969]

Safer than leaving your dog in the car…where people might smash the windows to free it even if it’s only 20F out?

This is not really something that bothers me. People who leave shopping carts in the parking lot…now that’s something to get riled up over.

[LauraKY]

I’ve been noticing purse size dogs in the grocery store. If an employee sees them before they get to check out they’re asked to leave.

It bothers me in the grocery, they’re banned for health reasons unless they are assistance dogs. Why can’t they leave them at home?

[ChasPonyCat]

I used to work at a bookstore and noticed people bringing dogs in a lot. I never asked, but i never was under the impression they were service dogs–it appeared as just someone bringing their pet inside the store. Management never said anything, so it wasn’t my place to question it. I guess maybe druggies hanging out in the bathrooms and crazies in the parking lot hassling people for money were of bigger concern to management than people bringing pets in. I always found it odd though.

[red_mares]

@Meshach

IF they are well behaved and unobtrusive, I don’t see the big deal. You can bring dogs to many places in Europe.

My experience is that it’s a big giant IF.

[Dr_Doolittle]

@red mares

My experience is that it’s a big giant IF.

THIS :yes:

[Meshach]

Ha that is very true. A few bad apples ruin it for everyone.

[Sistersiouxz]

I don’t mind well behaved dogs in stores,. but it does seem ironic for allergy sufferers to see a dog, in close proximity in the drugstore when picking up their medications. I think what I object too is some owners and their absolute need to have the dogs, usually the little dogs, with them. My emotions go through "what is this obsession they have?’ to reminding me of “how lonely, depressed or maybe how disturbed some people are”. I recognize also, that this can be a very sad world for many, and their pets help them cope.

[HPFarmette]

I was assisting at a Therapy Dog International testing at the humane society when I worked there. A woman brought in a GSD that I observed to be growling at a child 4 feet away from her. I reported this to the examiner who said “Oh yeah she just wants to get tested so that she can take the dog anywhere”.

No intention of actually doing therapy visits with the dog. And so unsuitable. Of course the dog was dismissed but I’ll never forget it. So bogus and unethical.

[rubles]

I don’t mind well-behaved dogs accompanying their owners where ever their owner’s take them. There are more bacteria left on shopping cart handles from unwashed hands than pets anyway. If I’m going to complain about something pets isn’t anywhere near the top of the list e.g. Shoppers with the week-end shopping in the 10 and less items. Clerk can’t say anything, but I can and do because they think their time is more valuable to them than others in line

[PlanB]

I don’t see the big deal. I have brought my dog shopping with me at Tractor Supply and Pet Value and a couple other places.

It definitely wouldn’t bother me to see a dog in the grocery store or pharmacy. I think it’s a load of baloney to say a dog shouldn’t be there for health reasons when you’re about a million times more likely to catch something from a fellow human in those environments. Or in any environments.

[jump_pony]

@PlanB

I don’t see the big deal. I have brought my dog shopping with me at Tractor Supply and Pet Value and a couple other places.

It definitely wouldn’t bother me to see a dog in the grocery store or pharmacy. I think it’s a load of baloney to say a dog shouldn’t be there for health reasons when you’re about a million times more likely to catch something from a fellow human in those environments. Or in any environments.

Until it poops on the floor and some poor employee has to clean it up.
See the problem is on a horse forum most of us have well trained dogs , but lots of people have badly behaved dogs and that is the problem.
Very few people mind mannerly dogs.

[Sugarwells]

@PlanB

It definitely wouldn’t bother me to see a dog in the grocery store or pharmacy. I think it’s a load of baloney to say a dog shouldn’t be there for health reasons when you’re about a million times more likely to catch something from a fellow human in those environments. Or in any environments.

110%