to think that taking your dog to the supermarket where he barks outside in total misery and stress is really not on?

[Northernlurker]

I've seen this dog twice now at the supermarket, tied up outside. He barks, growls and whimpers continually. He was out there for at least 10 minutes today. I know dogs and this is not an animal just fussing a bit, this is a dog that is scared and anxious. AIBU to think this is cruel?
You wouldn't treat a child or a vulnerable adult like that, you wouldn't subject them to that stress - why is it ok to do that to a dog, an animal which is so dependant on it's relationship with it's owner?

Yes Val, I was watching one take hers past a supermarket meet counter the other day, thinking there was less chance of me being able to ever do this with my dog than levitate!

Actually, for exactly the same reason I'm going to teach mine to be left outside a shop/cafe. But I'll do it where I can still see him, and he can't see me, just in case I ever HAVE To do it.

Meat counter, obviously!

Hmm... I can take mine into the pet shop and they don't stick their noses into the dog-level pig trotter/chew/biscuit barrels liberally spread about but past a meat counter? That'd be pushing my luck too Doods!

On the subject of dog theft another thing which is happening from time to time is the befriending of dog walkers in the park, asking them questions as to whether Rover is a pedigree, is he neutered, how old is he... far more than the average dog-centric person like me, who falls to her knees in mud to fuss a passing pooch, would ask. That has been known to be followed up by a dog being snatched or the owner's movements followed to establish if they have a walking routine. So folks, be vigilant, especially in cities.

These are few though in comparison to the opportunist theft. A recent one saw a dog tied outside a bank in a quiet, small north Cambs town and a car stop, the dog was bundled in and it sped off again. The dog was a whippet cross and because of this it wasn't hard to know where to target reward posters.

In this case the dog was tracked down (miles away in Essex) and reunited with the owner although, I believ, at not inconsiderable cost. They aren't all as lucky.

Val, I appreciate your response. I am in a rural area with a very low crime rate and feel its mostly okay to dash in and out of the supermarket occasionally - it's literally once in a blue moon as I do pretty much all my shopping online! Awful news about the poor dogs, though, I hope they are found.

What's all this people are more important than dogs? People choose to have animals, they can't speak, and need to be protected. Yeah, they shit in the street. But look at the shit being spouted on this thread. It stinks just as much

Swallowed, you're becoming tiresome. Where, exactly, have I said that thinking that dogs are less important than humans makes Rainbow or anyone else a "selfish terrible person"... just where?

Please don't make things up about me as you go along.

Purely in the interest of the welfare of your puppy you got pulled for knowingly risking his welfare for the sake of convenience. You defended your behaviour with remarks about me having a babe and a toddler plus three dogs and you made yourself look a fool as I pointed out that my children are now teenagers and rescue volunteers and that I've been an independent rescuer, a foster carer for rescue and a hands-on volunteer for many, many years and that therefore I'm confident that I know what I'm doing.

I didn't mention, btw, that I'm an activist and campaigner and have a lot of experience in lost/stolen dog incidents and appeals, and in stolen dog education.

Please - you stop digging that hole and I'll stop pointing out where you are wrong engaging.

You have now become tiresome, Swallowed.

Nowhere, no matter how you play with other people's quotes along with my own, did I call Rainbow or anyone else "a selfish terrible person". Nowhere.

Neither did I say that you were evil although you've attempted to insinuate that this is my opinion. Please stick to the facts.

These are that espite your opinion the experts - not talking about me, I'm just experienced - but the experts will tell you that to leave a dog in public and unattended is a fool's mission and puts the dog at serious risk of theft and thus harm or death.

The rescue charity Dogwatch UK recently did a piece on the subject. UK welfare campaign organisation SWAP often does. Leicester Animal Aid agrees with my view. As does Staffordshire Bull Terrier Welfare. And the Blue Cross, and the Dogs Trust, and DogLost (who deal with stolen dogs and their owners), and Poplar farm Rescue Kennels, and these people, the majority of whom work in or volunteer for dog rescue and dog welfare organisations.

But hey, you know better, of course you do...

As for your dog's gender... it won't fecking well matter if she's dead, will it?

Just another FW....

Right, that's the last time I engage with that poster on the subject.

Those of you who are prepared to be a little inconvenienced for the sake of your puppies may like to know the reasons why a puppy is at even more risk than a grown dog.

1. Cute factor when stealing to keep.

1. More profitable when stealing for profit.

1. Less likely to be microchipped - especially if bred by a backyard breeder (or "in the family home" as they like to put it) and not by a regisetered breeder or by a puppy farmer. Remember too that it's all very well your pup being chipped but we need to find him first, and alive.

4, Easier by far to pick up and walk/drive away with... the person who tries it with my adult German Shepherds and Labrador wouldn't be able to call A&E as they'd have no fingers left. not so with a pup.

1. Pups grow fast and unless they have identifying features will not look much like the photo of him in your wallet in three or four months time.

1. If you've just spent £500 plus on a pup - and the average price of a registered well bred one is far, far higher, you will doubtless have a pretty penny to spend on a ransom or reward.

1. Smaller dog, easier to conceal.

1. Where therer's a pup there are very, very often distraught children waiting at home for him... and these buggers know that and they prey on it.

There are more reasons why a pup is particularly at risk but being distracted in order to write the previous post has caused me to forget them! I'm sure by now most will have got the gist of it though. If anyone else disbelieves me, try looking at DogLost's website, reading their BBC interview HERE or going onto the website forum of, say, BigGSD, where the rescue owners and volunteers hang out. Sadly, I'm far from wrong or hysterical about it... I wish to god I was.

OK, although I said I won't engage any more, I apologise too Swallowed as you clearly tried to offer the olive branch, albeit withdrawn again.

It's ironic that I finished my last post in saying that sadly it's far from hysteria, at the same time cross-posting with you saying that it is.

My intentions are irrelevant. It's my knowledge and experience of a progressively worsening situation, backed up with evidence from Police, RSPCA lawyers, Dogs Trust senior staff and national crime figures and research which is what my warning is based on.

Tsk! See what this does to me? "More profitable when stealing for profit"! Did I really type that?