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.

It really wouldn't depend on who was there first. Any premises that refuse to serve a customer because they have a service dog with them is breaking the law and can be sued. It's not a first come first serve dilemma. Reasonable adjustments does not include breaking the law and discriminating against someone with a service dog.

They’re referred to as assistance dogs in the uk. Service dogs are are used by police etc.

That sounds rather entitled. Did the owner actually ask the dog owner to leave his dog friendly cafe. If he did thats poor.

I'm allergic to dogs. I'm surprised the woman didn't have her medication with her or taken it? If she had then she wouldn't have felt so worried about the dog triggering her allergy.

Dogs are everywhere now unfortunately and they leave their dander everywhere, even when the dog has left, so when you have allergies you have to be constantly aware. Mine can be mild from "just" a puffy eye or hives, to more major symptoms such as full on face/eyes swelling, hives, flu like symptoms, itchy skin, hives in mouth. I hate it when my face swells because I can't see and it takes days to go down and can't work. I really have to be mindful with dogs.

Thing is, no-one has the right to force another person out of a public space unless they're e.g. security or police.

If you're on the bus with a dog (and the bus allows dogs) and someone has a problem with it, they are the ones who need to deal with it. The same applies to cafes, shops etc. If dogs are allowed and someone brings their dog in and that dog is behaving, then they're not doing anything wrong and can't be asked to leave. If there's an adjustment that can be made which works for everyone (like moving seats) then great, but if not then the person who has the issue needs to leave.

@PollyPeptide
It's interesting to hear this. I have noticed a similar trend in my own hometown. Stores which allow dogs are always busy and seemingly doing well financially.
In fact, I often make a conscious effort to choose dog-friendly places for shopping.

On a side note, I do not understand how some people have such an issue with dogs whilst expecting dog owners to tolerate their badly behaved children. I much rather share the bus with a dog than a couple of annoying children.

This scenario is very unlikely to ever happen though what happened to us involved non service dogs….

I’ve actually NEVER seen a guide dog in rl and I’m 45 ! Only ever seen them on tv so the chances of encountering one when I’m with ds is low (I work full time and we don’t go out that often !) so it’s not something I’m going to worry about !!!!

You didn’t seriously mean to suggest you can overcome an ALLERGY with therapy?

It’s always up to drivers discretion to let dogs board, dogs don’t have a right to be on a bus (guide dogs excluded) many don’t challenge because owners are entitled arseholes and it’s not worth the hassle

why would a bus driver challenge a person getting on a bus with a dog? If it wasn’t snarling etc what possible reason would the bus driver have to refuse a paying passenger?

dogs cause much less trouble on buses than drunks etc

Someone doesn’t know the difference between an allergy and a phobia

Oh dear 🤣

Honestly, as the parent of a teen who is blind AND autistic, among various other disabilities, I find your comments ableist in the extreme. My daughter does not (yet) have a Guide Dog, but as and when she does, there is no way, theoretically speaking, that we would be shamed by you into leaving a shop or cafe, if ever we had the misfortune to meet, because you were operating a first dibs policy. As previously pointed out, the law is clear - the owners of assistance dogs have priority.

I’ve actually NEVER seen a guide dog in rl and I’m 45 ! Only ever seen them on tv so the chances of encountering one when I’m with ds is low (I work full time and we don’t go out that often !) so it’s not something I’m going to worry about !!!!
I know two people with guide dogs who live within 5 minutes walk from my house.

i used to see another chap with a guide dog on the bus going to work.

@ChicagoBears why choose to go to a dog friendly place then , there’s plenty of other places which aren’t ! Going to a place that allows dogs… then being annoyed there are dogs there is a bit ridiculous.

I've never known anyone irl to have such and issue and feel such hatred towards dogs as I have seen on mumsnet threads

It’s not the dogs. It’s really not. It’s the inconsiderate entitled owners who thinks everyone wants to be around their fur babies and can’t fathom that some people may not want to.

I’m allergic to many things, including dogs. In situations like this then I will move. But then my dog allergy isn’t horrendous and if I take an antihistamine I’m not too bad.

I’m also (badly) allergic to peanuts and the thought of someone eating them on a bus near to me makes me feel really anxious! But again- I would get off the bus because it’s my health and I need to take responsibility for it. If ‘trapped’ on a train for a longer period, unable to get off, I would maybe consider asking them not to eat the nuts.

Fundamentally, your dog was allowed to be there. If she’d been more polite or apologetic then maybe this would read differently?

I struggle to believe you've never seen a guide dog irl.

@DrMeredithGrey2023 - totally agree!

Dogs are affecting my wellbeing at the moment and I don't even own a bloody dog!

Yes - because my son was screeching and screaming and very distressed. Nowhere did it state it was dog friendly (would never have gone in if I’d known !) but it’s apparently’local knowledge’ but the owner could see the distress it was causing so asked them to leave

I haven’t - only on tv - but never in rl

@TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl

and it's inconsiderate entitled people like you who don't realise that dogs have as much right to be a part of society as you and your children.
I do not like children, I don't try and ban them from public places!