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After seeing dogs cavorting around Banana Republic, the Gap, furniture stores and even grocery stores, Barbara Rosenblatt wrote that she's had enough. "Animals are joining the ranks of small, bored children who must accompany their grown-ups just about everyplace," she wrote. "Perhaps what it will take to keep animals out of stores is a few too many paw prints on the merchandise, or a deposit by a dog that mistook a rug for a sidewalk."
Erica Manfred fired back, arguing that her 11-pound mutt deserves to go where she goes. "Well, I'm into my second adolescence and I've become a rebellious old lady. I take Shadow wherever I go because he makes my life bearable, and I don't care what anyone thinks," she wrote.
Whether or not Manfred cares if she's annoying other patrons with her canine cutie, plenty of readers were worked up enough to get into the fray. In fact, the Times received more than 500 comments from readers on both sides of the debate. One reader complained about health violations of dogs sniffing, licking and even pooping in food-service stores.
Another was more irritated by dog owners than dogs themselves. "Dog owners are worse than smokers in their inflated sense of entitlement," the reader commented. "Because they think their dogs are 'cute,' you should excuse their rude behavior."
Not surprisingly, there were dissenters. One commenter argued that most dogs are better behaved than most kids. "I don't like listening to wailing babies and whining children or their parents hissing at them," one reader wrote. "Leave the kids at home, please, and bring the dogs on!"
Clearly, New Yorkers are sharpening their claws over this contentious issue. Which side of the debate do you stand on?
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There is a time and place for dogs when going out with their master. Taking the dog to grocery store: No way, but the home improvement stores, department stores why not. My dog is listens well and does not scream, cry, etc. all of the things a small child does.
Dog owners are very responsible about cleaning up after their dogs. Also it depends on the size of the dog. Dog that weighs 25 lbs. in store okay, but dog that weighs 100 lbs, needs to have a master that knows how to handle the dog; if not leave the dog at home.
As a dog lover I wish people were more tolerant of our four legged family members. Agreed dogs should not go into food stores, hospitals or restaurants because it is a violation of the dept of health. My dogs are well behaved and cherish every minute they spend with us and we them. As long as you are responsible dog owners I think there should be no limits. My dogs dont cry or throw tantrums, so I would rather have someone sitting next to me with 10 well behaved dogs than have to listen to an ill behaved child whose parents think he is cute. Dogs bring joy to others around you. I have seen more people migrate to strangers to admire their cute dog than check out a baby. Please don't get me wrong I am not a hater of children, I have two teenagers of my own been there, done that. At the end of the day my dogs are happy to see me when I walk in the door, the teenagers not so much.
I'm sorry, but there is a time and place for dogs. Public eateries and stores are not one of them. What about all of us folk who love dogs but are ALLERGIC to them? You don't have the right to subject us to an allergen anymore than a smoker has the right to smoke these places indoors! I'm all for dogs in the park and outside. But not inside. It is life threatening to my family members.
What about my allergies? People have no thought about loading up with so much perfume that someone with fragrance allergies cannot breath. I can't tell you how many times I have had to step out of a checkout line because of someone's inconsideration. Give me my dogs any day.
Sure, take them to the hardware store, but just like the store signs say, "No shirt, No shoes, No service" included with that should be "ALL dogs must be leashed, diapered, and muzzled". So, if you can take your dog in the stores then I should be able to take my cat in the store, too. Hmmm, I wonder how THAT would play out... What is fair to one should be fair to all. I guess someone that has a bird, ferret, snake, or rat for a pet should be allowed to take their pet into the store too. Public enclosed places like stores, restaurants, etc, should never allow any pets of any kind with the exception of animal stores. "Tinkerbell" belongs at home or in your vehicle, not a public venue.
You state that your dog is well behaved and should be allowed to go into stores. I say that leaves the door open for EVERYBODY'S dog or other pet. We have all seen how unruly, disruptive, and destructive some dogs are. You can't say it is OK for some if not for all. Small dogs can be just as destructive as big ones, and usually are more yappy. Keep them hoome where they belong. (I wish I could say that about some people's children too.)
As someone who travels a bit when you go to places like Europe, they accept dogs everywhere. Stores, restaurants, hotels, bars. And they are the most well behaved dogs I have ever seen.
I am sorry, but I frequent PETSMART quite often and I am constantlycoming across a puddle of peeoreven a pile of poop. I also livnext to a wooded area and am constantly coming across doggie dung. I have also confronted those individuals and there reply was that "it's on the grass" That is no excuse...I am a dog owner myself I have 3 and when I go somewhere I bring my own poop bags...people are just pigs...those people who don't clean up after their dogs are the same people who don't take care of themselves!
Dogs should have the same public access as small children. Restrict them all from public spaces.
Are you kidding?? Do we now compare children to animals??? Have you all lost your minds???? Dogs are OPTIONAL children are not. I'm sure you would love to see a kid tied to a tree outside the store. They are animals period. Stop making them people with rights and feelings. And just because you feel you have the right doesn't mean you actually do. If I felt like it, could I take a crap next to your table while your eating?? Use your brain folks. What's next a pet horse in a department store?
Dogs need stay outside when not at home. If you visit some peoples houses, you know they have a dog before you see the animal------ dog hair and odor. Dogs have no place inside food stores, restauraunts, or any public place. I say keep them on a leash when in the park,.In some countrys, they say dogs taste like chicken-----lol---------ha ha ha. I own four Chihuahuas.
I find that using a doggie carrier is the best way. We usually take our little dog in one of those and people often think it is a baby. These carriages are easy to carry (they have wheels & look like a baby carriage) and you can zip them up completely so there are no intruders wanting to "pet" or "play" with the dog. By the way, you can use this for any of your pets, as long as they are zipped up, there is no way that anybody can issue any sort of complaint. Of course, then there is the problem of stores that don't allow them in....like Target....they use a dog as their main advertisement but they refuse to allow dogs in, regardless of their being contrained to a carriage. I find this highly unfair. As to comparing the dogs to the kids.....I would rather have the pets than the kids.....dogs are inside a carriage and the kids are running around and usually opening up bottles and throwing everything on the floor while their parents are off too busy shopping.
I agree to part of what you say just because a dog is over 50 pounds and is well behaved and in my case is a service dog they should always be allowed anywhere I go and it is a law as for the average dog owner who does not have a well behaved dog they should leave them home reguardless of the size little dogs can be destructive too
Any dog, even one that weighs 25 lbs. or less, is NOT okay in any store except one similar to a PETCO that welcomes leashed dogs. Smaller dogs may still pee, poop, bite and carry fleas. And, I don't care about the "cuteness" factor. As far as I am concerned, my 5-month-old, 55 lb. American Bulldog puppy is cuter than any dog out there. Yes, he is a PUPPY at 55 lbs. - he will grow to be 105-110 lbs. at maturity. Don't worry, I can handle him. My last dog was a 150 lb. Great Dane. So - should I take my Bulldog puppy to a food service store, sinced I can control him? I think not - I prefer to be considerate of others and recognize their need for safety.
I am an animal lover, I take my dogs to places they are welcome like petsmart, dog parks and walking downtown. I do not think they belong in shopping carts at home depot, grocery stores or clothing stores.. What are people thinking.. and further more, why do people with tiny dogs think they should be able to take them in more places than other larger dogs go.. see the problem is, that if you can bring your yappy, snippy, spoiled pomeranian into a store, I should be able to bring my Rotti, Shepherd and Husky who dont bark, dont bite and are well behaved to the same store... keep them all home and take them to places they are specificly welcome...
Dogs should not go everywhere their human counterparts do -- they are dogs!! The only dogs that should accompany their owners wherever they go are service dogs (guide dogs, lead dogs, etc.). They do not belong on planes, trains, buses, or in stores (unless a pet store) whether they are in a bag, crate, box, whatever. There are many people who are highly allergic, many people who have fears, many people who genuinely dislike, should they be ignored. Keep your four legged fidos at home, or in the car, or kennel where they belong and out of the places meant for bipeds -- humans!
I am a pet lover too and would love to be able to take them with me. In the dead of winter and the heat of summer pets should not be left in the car. Just like children. I would agree that pets should not be allowed in food establishments. But, within some sort of guidelines, SMALL pets, when in a carrier, can be a win-win situation for both sides of the fence. This also includes cats, which by the way are much cleaner than dogs, (but it seems that more people are allergic too).
What a big story. But It comes down to this. If you open it up there is always 1 2 or 3 people or more that is not a good dog owner and it screws up the rest of the good dog owners. So that means that you have to keep all dogs out. Maybe we would need a poop patrol to follow the dogs around. Hey this might make more JOBS out there Maybe this would be good Ha Ha
Margie and others who are concerned about taking animals to food places .... why? Have you any idea how your food arrived there? What is in it??? Animals raised for food today carry far more diseases than the dogs out there. I think it is high time people learned the truth and you will no longer mind taking dogs into grocery stores, restaurants and anywhere else. Read Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
I agree with you on the most part, but the people who take their dogs everywhere are usually not the responsible ones. I also have a problem with the little dog owner who think their dog doesn't need to be on a leash, or it can be on the table or counter at a store or restaurant. Or there poop is to little to pick it up. My 9 month old lab puppy behaves better then the 9 year old Yorkie that lived across the street. They are like children, if you have a well behaved child/dog bring them to the store/restaurant, if they are monster keep them home.