More dogs in stores...

[LillFilly]

This has become kind of a pet peeve of mine, almost as much so as dogs left in hot cars and fraudulent handicap parkers.

At the Salvation Army a woman had a medium-sized dust mop dog in her cart that was NOT acting like a service animal. I said casually "Oh, what a cute service dog!" She huffed and said "He's not a service dog, they allow pets in here." I shrugged and said "Oh, I didn't know that; funny." Now they didn't have a sign saying no dogs, but their was no sign saying they're pet friendly either. A week later I notice large signs on the doors and front counter "No Pets: Working Dogs Only!"

At a Super Wal Mart in a small town I saw a woman with a toy dog wiggling around in her cart; again, NOT acting like a service animal. In a cart...meant for food. The door only had the logo for service dogs only. I asked an employee if they knew there was a dog in the store. The employee said they allow small dogs if they are kept in the cart. I mentioned I thought that was a bit of a hazard, but I told her I bet it was easier to allow that than deal with people screaming about not being allowed to bring their dogs in. She just shrugged, so I figured she couldn't say anything about it. Double header; outside I'd passed a dark SUV, windows up, with 2-dogs inside on a hazy 85+ degree day. I didn't have my phone and knew the police wouldn't do anything or even get there in time.

But really, food, medicine, etc. and they actively allow dogs? I suppose at least until one messes in an isle or bites someone....

But really, people should know better.

[prjkt]

That last one I'd use as an excuse to break a car window, claiming the dogs looked like they were in distress

[Seanette]

The thrift store I currently work in is OK with dogs coming in as long as they're kept restrained (preferably in the customer's cart) and they're behaving themselves (no barking/growling, especially at humans, no indiscretions on the floor, etc.). I've seen managers pet customer dogs. Especially since it gets really hot here in summer, I'm happier seeing them in the store than left in cars. The dogs are generally better behaved than a fair percentage of human customers, too.

OTOH, the food pantry I volunteered at last year had to ban dogs coming in due to health department requirements. We would find containers to give dogs water outside, though.

[LillFilly]

That last one I'd use as an excuse to break a car window, claiming the dogs looked like they were in distress

Yeah, but in my state you're held civilly liable for the cost of damages.

[MelindaJoy77]

Our Hellmart *supposedly* has a rule that only service dogs are allowed, but we are pretty much not allowed to enforce this rule. We get dogs regularly, sometimes cats, and I have even seen a parrot and a parakeet in our store. I suppose it's better than leaving the animals in hot cars, but seriously....what's the point of these rules if we don't enforce them? Keeping the customer happy? Apparently yesterday there was a big fuss when a customer brought in her *three* - Three! - dogs and they proceeded to bark at everyone else in the store the entire time she was in there. I'm not sure what happened though, because I was on lunch at the time. Working in retail really eats away at my faith in humanity.

[Sapphire Silk]

That last one I'd use as an excuse to break a car window, claiming the dogs looked like they were in distress

I wouldn't unless they really were in distress.

I'd call 911, though, and stick around for the smug pleasure of listening to a cop lecture the owner on the dangers of leaving a dog in a hot car. That kind of pwnage would be far more satisfying than breaking a window, and potentially being held liable when the dogs are actually fine (I'd take cell phone video first to document the dogs actual condition before doing this for the inevitable lawsuit).

[raudf]

I had a coworker at hellmart that would bring in her ferrets. Yes, ferrets. They'd be under her coat and you'd occasionally see a head pop up, but otherwise, you'd never know they were there. They were better behaved than most kids and adults while in the store!

[Monterey Jack]

I had a coworker at hellmart that would bring in her ferrets. Yes, ferrets.

They wouldn't happen to be Fire Ferrets, would they?

[kmariem]

Working in retail really eats away at my faith in humanity.

Working retail killed just about all faith I had in humanity

[Tama]

I checked out a couple once who were carrying 8 weeks old mini doxie puppies. Insure didn't fuss, they were adorable...and quiet.

[emax4]

At Highs we allow service dogs, but no hard rule on non-service dogs. I hate when people bring dogs in the store, yet being a dog-lover I secretly want to go , "whozeh good doggie? Youz'a good wittle doggie, yes you are! "

[Lace Neil Singer]

I'd have called the police anyway on the dogs in the car. I had to do so once at work, tho at first we only thought it was some moron parking on the forecourt. I went over there to stick one of our nasty letters on the windscreen (states that if they park there again, the towing people will be called and bye bye car!) and to my amazement and horror, saw a dog stretched across the back seat. This was a boiling hot day, over thirty degrees celsius, and the dog looked really in distress. So I ran back, and my manager called the police. The police broke the back window to get the dog out, and the dog was taken to the local animal charity for urgent medical attention. The police waited by the car to chew out the owners. Later we learned that they had been charged with animal cruelty, as well as assault on a police officer cuz the man of the couple hit one of the policemen after being arrested for animal cruelty.

[Anakah]

In the casino we aren't allowed to say anything about dogs anymore (no matter what the breed) cuz all the customer has to say is its a service dog no matter how untrue. I do worry about other people being bit or something bad happening but no one cares...

Random strangers walk up and pet the animals. I see this ending badly... And the casino being blamed. I have no problem with service animals but please don't bring in your dog just for kicks.

Leave them at home or petsmart only.

[wolfie]

IANAL (and I don't play one on TV either), but my understanding is that if an animal creates a disturbance (craps on the floor, jumps on people, etc.) a business is allowed to "Pet Non Grata" it, even if it is a service animal (of course, legitimate service animals are trained to NOT create a disturbance).

As for bringing non-service animals into a casino (by definition, a service animal NEEDS to go where its owner/client goes), dogs have very sensitive hearing, and would NOT be happy in such a noisy environment. I'd try to look at things from the viewpoint of these pet owners, but I can't get my head that far up my ass.

[Sapphire Silk]

IANAL (and I don't play one on TV either), but my understanding is that if an animal creates a disturbance (craps on the floor, jumps on people, etc.) a business is allowed to "Pet Non Grata" it, even if it is a service animal (of course, legitimate service animals are trained to NOT create a disturbance).

That is correct. The rules on service dogs is very clear on this. You can't ask the person about their disability, and you can't insist on any kind of paperwork to prove the dog is a service dog (many people train their own service dogs because it is cheaper and also more individualized) but you CAN ask what service the dog performs. If the answer is emotional support, then it is not a service dog and can be banned. Emotional support animals (therapy animals) are not considered service animals. PTSD is different; the dog is trained to help ground and protect the owner during a flashback. The dog has to be able to perform a task the owner cannot perform themselves.

Not all service dogs wear gear identifying themselves as such, though it is encouraged to help the general public understand what the dog does, and discourage interaction with the dog when it is on the job. Never approach a service dog without permission of the owner.

True service dogs are trained to ignore distractions. They are trained to hold their urine and bowel while "on the job," and not to bark unless the bark is how they alert to an impending seizure or other crisis. Service dogs who misbehave in public can be asked to leave public establishments. Service dog owners cannot be charged extra for having a service dog in the establishment (example, routine cleaning for dog hair) but CAN be charged for actual damages if the dog urinates or defacates on the carpet, or knocks something over and breaks it.

As for bringing non-service animals into a casino (by definition, a service animal NEEDS to go where its owner/client goes), dogs have very sensitive hearing, and would NOT be happy in such a noisy environment. I'd try to look at things from the viewpoint of these pet owners, but I can't get my head that far up my ass.

Dogs that are pets get over stimulated by public environments unless they are very well trained. As much as they want to be with their pack, they are actually far happier being left at home. I simply do not understand people who insist on bringing a pet everywhere with them. It is not kind to the animal.

Dogs are not fashion accoutrements. People who buy dogs for this purpose are not into pet ownership for the sake of the animal, but their own vanity. Their behavior is despicable.