Do you think there will ever come a time when business need to take account of the needs of those of us allergic to dogs?

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OK, so I don't want this to turn into one of the many threads where huge rows erupt about the number of dogs around. I accept that this seems to be the way of the world - for now anyway - but some recent experiences have made me question the implications.

I'm in the process of booking a UK touring holiday and have spent the last few weeks trying to book some medium range hotels in various places. Mainly countryside locations which might be part of the issue.

I am allergic to dogs and prone to fairly serious reactions, including asthma attacks if exposed for a prolonged period.

The problem is that I'm coming across so many places I like only to read that they are pet friendly. This is often accompanied by photos showing dogs running around the hotel interior, sitting on the beds and couches in rooms etc. If I were to stay in this room after a dog had been there it's highly likely I'd be quite poorly. When I've rung these hotels to ask if they have any designated pet free rooms, they have replied that no, they are 'pet friendly', as if this somehow makes them morally superior and those of us who have allergies are some sort of animal hater!

Given the legislation on dietary labelling that came in following some tragic incidents, I do wonder if we're going to end up in a situation where someone is likely to come to harm through inadvertent exposure. This is probably more likely to be a child as grown adults will be able to spot early warning signs.

I'm just interested in views on this as it's increasingly feeling like I'm being denied access to a service in a way that would not be acceptable in other situations.

I don’t have a dog and although I like dogs I’d always rather go somewhere that doesn’t accept dogs.

An assistance dog from a charity can cost £15k or years on a waiting list. You’d stop competent people from training their own? Businesses already have the right to ask people with dogs to leave if the dog doesn’t behave like an assistance dog (jumping up, barking, wandering around, annoying other people, for example)

I'm gonna sue the cat cafe for discriminating against me. If that is successful, I also plan on suing donkey sanctuaries, followed by anyone who has grass in their garden.

Can I sue people who shed skin cells, too? They create dust, and I'm allergic.

Who is in charge of the wild birds and rodents?

I shouldn't have to manage my own health. The world should bend to my needs. Who cares if businesses lose profit because of my specific needs?

No you couldn’t sue the cat cage. They clearly state the whole point of their service is cats. Same as a donkey sanctuary.

Grass, skin cells and rodents are everywhere and can’t be controlled. Grass, birds and rodents are outdoors where the effect is mitigated.

Dogs are brought into cafes by owners. Not specialised dog cafes but cafes for the public.

Good luck with your legal action🙄

And the whole point of dog-friendly cafes and hotels is to service/cater to dog owners. I'm failing to see the difference here?

Another person allergies to dogs. It’s not a mild reaction. I’m allergic to fur, the oils from their coat and their saliva. I swell up where I’ve had contact and my skin reacts like a scold. I was hospitalised several times due to the extreme nature of it. There are many places I no longer go because of pet friendly policies.

I just don’t want to be round dogs. I don’t want to listen to dogs as I’m nodding off. I don’t want dogs in the dining room at all ever, unless a bona fide assistance dog. I don’t want to have to step over or round dogs in the bar or garden.

I quite like (some) dogs. We had dogs for years. Almost always left at home

One day, hopefully in the not too distance future, the dog balance will tip. It will because more commercially attracted to exclude them

No.
I just don't trust general dog owners population to not lie, so I believe that privileged access should be based on a license. Competently fully trained dogs could be able to get the license through some registration and exams.

Once you acknowledge that rights of service dogs are clashing with health of other people, it surely isn't too much to want to officially recognise that some dogs are service dogs and some dogs are not service dogs.

No, it’s to provide a food and drink service to anyone who wants to use them. It isn’t just for dog owners.

The majority won't. They bought a dog because it was the latest craze without thinking it through. They didn't train the dog and have now realised that it isn't that easy having a dog.

The countryside has dogs. The vast majority of places have areas that the dogs are allowed and areas they arent and most hotels will have pet rooms and non - if they allow pets at all. I seriously doubt you cannot find a single one that doesn't allow dogs 🤷‍♀️

Cafes are not a public service. Their purpose is to generate profit for the owners. They do that by serving food to their clientele. If they wanted to, they could decide to only allow service to people with red hair.

Allergies are not a protected characteristic. They may, if severe enough, qualify as a disability, but in that case, "reasonable adjustments" should be made. It is reasonable to ask to be seated away from a dog. It is not reasonable to ask a premise to exclude its biggest customer base.

😂😂😂red hair. Of course they could😂

Alletgies are a protected characteristic if severe. They are a disability. The same as visual impairment or migraines.

Werherspoons ban dogs. They have hotels you can only book directly with Wetherspoons . We spend a lot of money with Spoons. Can't stand dogs in food areas/ sofas/ bedrooms. Absolutely vile

They are still not (generally) designed to only serve dog owners. Which is what your previous comment seemed to be implying.

It is ridiculous and I agree with you OP. You can’t move for dogs nowadays and they are in the most unsuitable places: cafes, restaurants, clothes shops etc.

We went to a 5 star spa hotel recently that bills itself as being all about peace and wellness, and ended up being sat next to a couple who (no exaggeration) rocked up with two Great Danes at breakfast! We complained but it fell on deaf ears. Who wants to sit next to a slobbering dog when they’re trying to enjoy their breakfast? I am genuinely convinced that this ridiculous over dependence on dogs by some people is due to a lack of any viable personality on the part of their owners, but I know that viewpoint will go down like a lead balloon.

I do agree it must be a nightmare for those allergic to dogs, or those with a fear of dogs.

Saying that, I’ve been out to a small seaside town today with our little dog and there were 4 places where she was not allowed in. And that’s fair enough. And in my own home town, she’s definitely not allowed in at least one coffee shop, Home Bargains, a large Boots, Primark, the independent chemist, the bakery, oh and of course Wetherspoons. We do have a restaurant that allows dogs until 6pm but children are not allowed at any time 🤷🏼‍♀️

You can not be a dog person without being a dick about people who have dogs, you know. It is possible.

But I like being a dick about it, just like all the inconsiderate dog owners out there who think Fido is the love of their lives and must follow them to the ends of the earth. Or to Asda.

I love dogs but agree - I don’t particularly want them everywhere as seems to be the case now.

A rick stein episode showed him sneaking his dog into a hotel that didn’t allow dogs. Put it in his bag and he thought he was being very funny. Left it there in the room and headed out for the night. Quite disgusting. Should have been challenged for that.

Seems like you may need a hobby or something, then other people enjoying their pets might bother you less.

People are free to enjoy their pets as much as they please, they just need to stop expecting the rest of the world to enjoy them. I have pets myself and would never assume that perfect strangers would want to deal with their slobber, dander, fur or shit. They’re my pets, not Cafe Nero’s.

The fact is that businesses will want to do what makes the most money. If they will get more business from dog owners coming in with their dogs, than they will from dog allergy suffers coming into their dog free business, then they will allow dogs in. I don't like it either, but that's life. And it's not discrimination because you are still able to use the business. I mean it's a bit like saying every eating place should have a nut free area to the kitchen, and a dairy free area, and a fish free area... it would just never work!

It works only because people who don't want to be around dogs, but are able to, don't vote with their feet and wallets enough.

It's not like the majority wants other people's dogs around.