Lately, I see it all the time in my local stores.
I don't like the fact that people can even shop in supermarkets and stores with their dogs, but I have accepted it (bc I have no choice bc the law is on the side of service and emotional support animals)
However, I think it is ridiculous to actually be able to place the dogs in the shopping carts that everyone uses.
Is is even sanitary?
Personally, I do not like the idea of bringing new clothing home that has dog hair on it.
The carts are not even cleaned between customers!
Am I the only one who feels this way?
I asked the manager of my local TJ Maxx about it and she said, "sorry, we are not permitted to ask them to remove the dog or dogs from the cart"! Places are actually afraid of getting sued and they do get sued- which is bad for business.
It has nothing to do with liking or not liking dogs, but some of these animals smell, some shed, and some keep barking in the store !!!!
I have seen a sign in the supermarket prohibiting dogs in the carts, but the rule is often not enforced. In fact, the manager of the supermarket has gotten into huge arguments with service animal owners to the point of calling the police and by then the owner is gone. Since the store does not want to lose customers, they tend to look the other way most of the time. This rule just applies to supermarkets, not other types of stores.
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| This sign applies ( but is not enforced) in supermarkets |
I'm curious how you feel about dogs in the shopping carts in stores such as TJ Maxx, and if you have any suggestions...
I could stop shopping there, but I would have to stop shopping everywhere in Florida where dogs rule and go EVERYWHERE including restaurants with their owners. I have even begun to see more dogs in stores and restaurants in Philadelphia area too.
It does not matter if you are allergic to dogs.
The law protects the emotional support owner.
Just a "pet peeve" of mine. I would love to hear your comments.
I also get outraged with people who bring their "emotional support dogs" to the beach where we walk barefoot. The signs clearly say, " NO PETS" on beach- but emotional support dogs are not pets and the lifeguards don't get involved and are not rule enforces( I have found out) bc you are not permitted to question people about their emotional support dogs . So people end up bringing a dog to the beach and yes they pee and poop on the beach ( and the owners cleans up the poop) but we walk barefoot and children play and dig in the sand.
Please don't call me a dog hater. I actually like dogs. This is a whole other issue.
First, I love dogs also. I think there are many that agree with you, and also do not speak up because of the lax attitude. Anyone can claim any animal is an emotional support animal. And immediately that animal is exempt from pet laws, because it is not a pet. There are no effective emotional support animal laws on the books to help with sanitation and or behavior issues. So it become emotion verses reality, and that is almost never addressed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think shops is the place for dogs, and they need to be well behaved. As well as their master!
ReplyDeleteBeing outside is for every being, including dog. So I really don't see the point of forbidding dogs on the beach. I have never seen such signs in France. Nature is for everybody. Beach is no special case.
This is my personal position.
I’ve never seen a dog in a cart but I imagine it happens. We have a friend with a severe disability whose dog is for emotional support. People will tolerate that dog rather than say anything to our friend. I can understand it though it can be hard to do.
ReplyDeleteDogs ain't not allowed into any shops over here...but I do like that they allow the dogs into the shop...they might have to clean the shopping carts though....well, I guess that means extra work and time.
ReplyDeleteTrue service dogs for disability I completely understand. However, they are always on leashes right next to their person and not in carts. IMHO dogs should not be allowed in shopping carts but with the way the world is now everyone is afraid of offending someone or wasting time arguing with them. I understand the beach thing too. A lot of people do not clean up after their dogs and then it's there for you to step in. I shake my head a lot more now than I ever have.
ReplyDeleteJudee, you were brave to publish this. Humans in general, and certainly the people who bring pets (not counting *true* service animals of course) into markets and restaurants and any animal-prohibited space or residence for that matter, do not tend to be the most objective among us. So yes, brave.
ReplyDeleteFortunately my local markets are not becoming kennels. Good luck.
People here don't take their dogs shopping. And emotional support dogs are not a big thing here either. We are allowed our dogs on certain beaches and they have to be leashed. I certainly wouldn't want to use a trolley a dog had been in.
ReplyDeleteTandy | Lavender and Lime https://tandysinclair.com
I don't have suggestions and I don't mind dogs all that much in a store -- on a leash. And if they are well behaved. But not in a cart, especially in a grocery or clothing store when someone using the cart next might have an allergy.
ReplyDeleteI don't have an issue with service or support dogs doing their jobs. I don't mind dogs in stores if on a leash or held by customer. I don't want dogs in carts as I am allergic.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, it bothers me when dogs are in the carts of shops, and especially stores, where we buy our food. I LOVE dogs, and have had them my whole life, but it's not fair to people who are frightened of dogs, or who have allergies, etc. And barking dogs can just be annoying when we are trying to relax and browse and have a nice outing. Your words were thoughtful and genuine.
ReplyDeleteNow, an emotional support dog is a different matter. If they provide relief from stress or anxiety and such, they should most definitely be welcome wherever the owner takes them. Some need comfort while dealing with a traumatic situation, and these support dogs are important to alleviate their pain. : )
~Sheri
I haven't seen the carts and dogs. Lately, I see more folks using strollers for their pups and walking about that way.
ReplyDeleteService animals are trained to help their owners with specific problems, such as guide dogs for blind people — part of their training is to be astoundingly well-behaved in public. No one should object to their presence wherever they are needed.
ReplyDeleteHowever, “emotional support” is given by all pet dogs, and I don’t see the need for any special privileges, even if the owner went out on the internet and bought a special vest that says “emotional support” on it, or bought a bogus certificate or some other piece of paper. In my opinion, the whole idea of allowing pets (however defined) to go everywhere because their owners have problems is crazy and has gotten out of hand. Fortunately they don’t seem to be allowed in food stores here in Michigan — at least not that I’ve seen.
Like most people, I love dogs, but I don’t think they belong everywhere and I think the owners have some responsibilities.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Interesting post! I love dogs. BUT they should not be in grocery carts, and certainly not the carts at TJ Maxx! I shop at TJM all the time and I have not seen this, and I've not seen it at the grocery either, that I can recall. Maybe it's a practice that has not picked up that much yet, in my area. But I agree with you one hundred percent. Anyone can get a dog designated an emotional support animal -- it's not hard. So, anyone who just wants to take their dog anywhere and everywhere, can hide behind that. It's not fair, but you know, we live in a world where there are only a few classes of people left who are "not allowed" to be who they are, without experiencing bullying or public derision. And those tend to be the decent, normal people. Everyone else seems to be protected, even when they inconvenience others. It's madness! God help us. xoxo
ReplyDelete