When did dogs in food shops become a thing?!

[HermioneWeasley]

I went to a local bakery today and there were 3 dogs in there. It’s a bakery and cafe. I thought it was illegal to have dogs where food is made and served but apparently not. DH told me it’s pretty standard now and all the local coffee shops and cafes allow them.

I’m sure all the dog lovers will say it’s fine, but I was really shocked. Am I the only one? I’m also allergic so normally choose not to be indoors with dogs.

Went to a lovely restaurant in Cornwall last year, one of those typical autumnal days where the sun was out but quite cold, went into this restaurant, which was warm and humid. Ordered our food and noticed an older couple with a dog sat next to us. A while later I heard the waitress say to them 'is that what I think it is?'. Steaming pile of sloppy dog shit. Just then our food arrived. I wasn't very hungry all of a sudden, surprisingly. They shouldn't be allowed in and that's as a loving dog owner myself.

Some people on Mumsnet are intolerant and justify it with outlandish tales about how once they were in a cafe when a dog licked its arse, their plate, their face, savaged their toddler and then took a steaming dump in a cafe while the owners laughed.

Maybe I'm lucky or sheltered but this has never happened to me.

If you don't like dogs there are lots of places you can go where they are not allowed. Assistance dogs are.

I don't have a dog but they don't bother me. I wish I could say the same about some people.

Ewww Quirrelsotherface that’s disgusting!

We’re you able to move/send your food back & not pay or did the table with the shitting dog offer to pay? I wouldn’t be able to eat after seeing that & being aware of them cleaning it up

Most dog owners like to think that their dogs are well behaved ... as do most parents thinking about their own DC ... the issue is when dogs/DC are not well behaved and the owner/parent just smiles indulgently .

We’re you able to move/send your food back & not pay or did the table with the shitting dog offer to pay? I wouldn’t be able to eat after seeing that & being aware of them cleaning it up

I think I was just a bit shocked and everyone was just very British about it and tried to ignore it. Makes me feel sick thinking back! I guess it wasn't the pub's fault it happened so not much we could do really.

I hate dogs anywhere near me and hate that I can't get away from them anywhere these days

I agree.

I've been on a train where a dog did a poo. It was near my station and I was getting ready to get up when I thought "what's that awful smell". Anyway I got up and got my case down from the overhead rack and started to move towards the door. Then I looked behind me and there was a pile of poo in the aisle! eeeuuuuggghhh. Some poor cleaner had to sort it out no doubt - the lazy dog owner clearly wasn't going to.

If you don't like dogs there are lots of places you can go where they are not allowed

Not lots. And becoming increasingly fewer.

@berlinbabylon honestly, there really are lots of dog-free places. All NHS health facilities like hospitals and GP surgeries ban dogs and so do most private places like dentists, opticians and chemists. Most shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels and public buildings don't accept dogs. Most private landlords and taxi drivers don't either and dog owners can be turned away on public transport - it happens most on buses. I've seen a driver try to turn away someone with a guide dog which is illegal. Luckily the man knew his rights and some of us stuck up for him.

Apart from the law about assistance dogs businesses are within their rights to exclude dogs. I can see why they'd do it. But if a business decides it is good for trade to welcome customers with dogs then they are free to and you are equally free to go somewhere else.

I don't have a dog in this fight but I don't mind them if they are well-behaved which in my experience they are.

@berlinbabylon

If you don't like dogs there are lots of places you can go where they are not allowed

Not lots. And becoming increasingly fewer.

None at all in fact, since guide dogs are allowed in all venues by law.