For being annoyed I was asked to stand on a bus because of dog allergies?

[anywayhereswonderwall]

I went to visit a friend in London today and I took my dog. It's worth noting she is a mini poodle, and hypoallergenic, and well behaved. You can barely even tell she's there. I got on the bus as part of my journey. It was the middle of the day so there were a few empty seats (but not loads).

I got on and sat down, and the woman a few rows behind me said 'can you move , I have a dog allergy'. I apologised and moved a few rows forwards, the furthest forwards I could go and still get a seat.

She then shouted forwards 'not far enough, you're going have to stand at the front'.

I was confused, but did it. I spent the rest of the 35 minute journey standing right at the front of the bus while the woman was 3/4 of the way along, sitting.

I did what she said for the journey, but when I got off I felt annoyed and I'm not sure if I'm justified.

London buses are double decker.

Can't they just leave the dog at home when visiting people?

As long as your dog was warm, sod anyone else who might need to access the warm space 🙄

Wow, that was a thread hijack and a half.

I've been on trains in other countries where there is a designated dog carriage. I take the dog on a ferry each year and there is a little dog lounge or you can go on deck. Much harder to implement on a bus due to lack of space.

I'm in the US, and that's how it is here. The cafe would have the right not to make the patron with the dog leave.

You have no idea if it’s a made up scenario or not. I somehow don’t think I’m not the one making a roll of myself on this thread….

Again, how is another person's allergy my responsibility?

fool

@Fourteenhouses its your original tone in the way deliver your message , that a long as your/sons needs are met then that’s all that’s important and above everyone else’s needs. but in reality you could have made a simple check to have avoided the scenario and chose somewhere suitable.

Being allergic to dogs isn’t a disability, nor is being afraid of dogs. You should have left the cafe (or ideally calmed down your son and taught him that he can’t dictate his environment and it’s going to be a very long hard life if he panics everytime he sees a dog).

Just don't go to a dog friendly cafe? Honestly people are weird, it would be like taking your child to the park and complaining there are dogs.

I wouldn't of moved and told the person it's their problem, most people have pets therefore carrying hair on them. People's allergies aren't that severe that they will die- if so.. dont get the bus.

You sound seriously entitled

How is a person's dog accompanying them to a warm space so they aren't cold at home, my responsibility? Again, it's dogs' rights trumping humans. You chose to own a dog, so leave it at home with the heating on. It's not my responsibility if that option is too expensive. I, however, didn't choose to have the allergy, yet somehow I'm the one having to accommodate a lifestyle choice of someone else and be cold whilst doing so.

As I said before - maybe I do come across that way sometimes but that’s because I’m used to having to fight for the needs of my child to be met , to fight for support etc. Maybe that’s why.

I don't think it's that easy to calm down an autistic child having a screaming violent meltdown. The poster should have been more careful to check were she took her child, I think she realises that now, but calming the child might not have been possible until meltdown was exhausted.

They’re not allowed everywhere! You should frequent the many places that are not dog friendly!

Maybe consider we all (should) have a responsibility to our fellow humans, first and foremost. That would be the kind thing to do.

I have allergies to dogs and cats. This recent influx of dogs now being everywhere has really curtailed my life, and those of my children. It's gotten really out of hand. I could handle the limited numbers of guide dogs, simply because there were hardly any to have to contend with. Now dogs are absolutely everywhere, and it is hellish for many people.

I wish dog owners would be considerate of their fellow own species, and put us before their dogs.

Absolutely - if there had been a sign saying ‘dog friendly’ I’d never have set foot in there !!!! I haven’t been out in so long I just thought it was still the same that dogs aren’t allowed in most places

Your child doesn't need to be in a dog friendly cafe though

It's your responsibility to manage his allergies and fear of dogs, not other people's. I certainly wouldn't have taken any chances when going out to eat when my autistic ds was frightened of dogs, never mind if he had an allergy to them

Exactly this! I much prefer dogs to feral brats!

Well sure, but she had two options: calm him down or if that wasn’t possible, leave. Instead she joined her son in the tantrum and demanded other people leave the place that the owner had in his discretion decided he was happy to accomodate.

@steff13 not limited to workplaces but the size and type of the business impacts it.
Also 'reasonable' is the key word. It's not reasonable to expect say a small business to ban all dogs, refuse entry to anyone who may have animal dander on them or may say some vague trigger word. But it would be reasonable to expect wheelchair access at a leisure centre or hospital.

From citizens advice;

The Equality Act 2010 says changes or adjustments should be made to ensure you can access the following things if you’re disabled:
• education
• employment - ask your employer for adjustments
• housing - ask for adjustments in your home
• goods and services like shops, banks, cinemas, hospitals, council offices, leisure centres
• associations and private clubs like the Scouts and Guides, private golf clubs and working men clubs.

Also:

The Equality Act says there's a duty to make reasonable adjustments if you’re placed at a substantial disadvantage because of your disability compared with non-disabled people or people who don't share your disability.

Substantial means more than minor or trivial.

Honestly, OP being 'told' to move is entitled of the person telling them to move. You can ask sure, but also be prepared to get off or move if the person with the dog says no. The bus company have allowed dogs so it is what it is.

I always try to tolerant towards people who don't like dogs, are afraid of dogs or have any other problems. The only time I won't s when it is a nuisance to me or my dog. I once was asked to walk my dog into traffic because the lady was afraid of my dog as I stood waiting to cross a very busy road, and I ignored her.
I wouldn't have moved for the woman on the bus, she could have moved herself.

Can I give you a word of advice? Think of others some of the time, the world doesn’t revolve around your son and I say this as the mother of an autistic child. Your child’s need DO NOT trump the day to day lives of others wanting to visit a cafe with their dogs. You were wrong and you made a huge mistake in that cafe by putting the owner in an awful position. Personally I chose to learn from mistakes I made.

If I leave my dog at home with the heating on, it surely defeats the purpose of me spending time in a warmspace?
You sound a little out of touch about that particular issue. Lucky you.

You have an allergy, therefore it is your responsibility. My dog could be a service dog. Are you somehow not allergic to dogs that help people?