Shop allows dogs in and my item is ruined

[shedidwhatnan]

Argh. Still annoyed even typing this

Visited a store of a well known aspirational brand today.

They let dogs in and have water bowls outside, encouraging dogs to 'take a sip' and then goes on to say all dogs on leads or dogs in arms are welcome inside

I had just spent good money on something and stopped to have a look at something on the display table near the exit.

The owner seemed to have been having a browse next to me and her dog proceeded to go right next to me! My paper bag from the shop got wet

The store assistant noticed, giggled and went to get some stuff to clean up. No mention of my bag or compensating me when I said 'Oh dear, it's on my bag now'. She just said 'ha, what are they like!' Then ignored me and started chatting to the owner who whilst the cleaning stuff was fetched, kept apologising to me over and over

And in truth, it isn't the dog owners fault really. The ultimate blame is with the shop for allowing dogs of any kind beyond guide dogs into the place.

I asked for a clean bag. Discovered my item also got wet. Shop assistant said 'oh, hopefully it'll just wash out!' And that was that

I was so embarrassed and upset that I left

AIBU to think dogs shouldn't be in shops? I can sort of see the appeal to have a tasteful sausage dog allowed in but not medium+ size breeds!

@shedidwhatnan if a dog jumped up at me and the owner says "they're friendly" I would reply "I'm not. Get your fucking dog off me". The older I become the more intolerant I get of knob heads.

Aw whoopsy please explain it to me

I have a dog and I don't take him in shops for this very reason. I personally don't like dogs in shops. I would have asked for a replacement. Go back.

If my dog pissed on someone's shopping bag and contents I would be mortified snd would offer to pay for a new one for the person.
I can't believe the dog owner didn't do this? It's so out out order.
My second option would be to take it up with customer service in the shop-if their policy allows dogs then surely they should also be willing to compensate for the effects of the dogs?

It’s not just shops, and I fully agree with not letting them in. I’ve seen dogs pee and poop in shops. I met a friend out shopping recently and she told me she won’t buy in that dept. store now, only look and go online, and now I follow suit.

A few weeks ago I went to an expensive Japanese restaurant. The tables are quite close together. In walked a couple, on a Sat night, around 8.30pm with 2 large dogs. My chin hit the floor.

Thankfully they didn’t sit near me, but there was no room for them. I would’ve left if I had to share my treat of a meal with a massive Alsatian.

Unfortunately I’m not bitchy enough to say this on their SM reviews, but I don’t want to go there again if they let dogs in. It’s unhygienic, especially around food.

Making sushi with dogs in the room? Does that pass standards?

Finally, why? Just why? Why does someone need to take their dog out (with exception of assisting dogs) with them when shopping? Why does someone need to take it out to dinner? What’s wrong with you?

I don’t think dogs need allowed everywhere but your “tasteful sausage dog” comment is ridiculous.

To add, I've got two well trained trustworthy dogs and one that is an utter idiot. (Guess which one is a daschund). I'd consider taking the two well trained ones into a shop, possibly, if it was the only the thing that was convenient (ie I had to get something whilst out with them), but I would never, under any circumstances, take young sausage to a shop or a pub indoors, even if 'dog friendly', as he just can't be trusted yet not to ruin any other customers' experience. I don't know when Dog owners began to fail to see that their Dog is their responsibility and isn't more important than everyone else.

Ridiculous victim blaming

I thought you were being a bit silly (don’t understand the relevance of the water bowl etc) but reading between the lines it seems that the dog wee’d on your bag??

If that’s the case then I would have said something there and then.

I actually think the customer with the dog should have paid for the item.
But now she’s not there, I would be asking for a refund from the store instead without a doubt, that’s disgusting.

I don’t agree that pets should be allowed in shops, unless they are guide dogs.
And I am a huge animal lover.

Perhaps if people start taking their XL bullies in, more customers would complain.

What is an "aspirational" store?

Like Amanda's Hygge Tygge?

Do customers in such hops deserve better treatment than those shopping in normal shops?

Was it Vinegar Hill OP? Just out of interest?

Oh I see-it was White Company. In which case I'd be even more cross because nothing from there is cheap-and it's a bastard to have it immediately covered in someone else's dogs' wee before you even had chance to wear it.

Grim. The UK literally stinks of dog pee.

We went to Keswick in the lakes for a weekend break and the smell of dog wee was appalling. The pavements were literally green around every lamp post and park bench.

I'd love to see dog owners faces if I let a child piss against street furniture.

Why would the shop replace the item? They’ve done nothing wrong, the fault is a mix of OP for leaving her things on the floor and the dog owner for bringing their dog in but it not being trained well enough to not wee inside.

They’d have rightly said they’re not taking it as it’s covered in dog wee. I’m baffled why anyone thinks this is the fault of the shop.

This has to be John Lewis?
Fed up of fuckin dogs now infiltrating shops (obviously guide dogs are the exception).

@oakleaffy I took DM’s shit/poo cross to our local garden centre at Christmas as a favour - I’d already arranged to go but DM had an all day hospital appointment and had nobody to leave him with. Never again! He urinated against three Christmas displays before I could get him out. Utterly mortified! Fortunately outdoor ones that could be washed, so I didn’t have to pay to replace them but I had to apologise profusely.

We have two dogs of our own. One is a relatively new rescue, the other is elderly, neither could be relied on in that situation so I don’t take them.

I think you should have got a refund. Maybe if you had asked for one or kicked up a fuss they wouldn't be so keen on having dogs. Can't stand them. And folk used to be content with one dog but two three or more is getting more common.

This. And there are very few of them around, so it's not the gotcha that some MNers think it is. In fact the only time I tend to see them is the guide dogs in training with SWR (railway company)!

Pets should not be allowed in clothes shops.

I thought the same.

Dribble or piss?

I'm a dog lover and have dogs but think they have no place in clothes shops. Or most shops for that matter. I was in a restaurant recently where a guy with a daschund continued his lunch whilst
doggo did a long streaky piss on the floor
next to him. Waitress just walked around it!

That’s awful! People need to realise that yes if you have a dog you can’t do everything/take them everywhere.

Maybe some people are rescuing the ones that have been dumped by the irresponsible Covid owners but I agree that it's annoying when people have 2-3 and they get in the way.

I don't buy clothes which hang on a lower rail if I know dogs are allowed.

however, that isn't necessarily a help to avoid dog hair and potentially having been wee'd on as they could have all been moved around that morning!

OP your description sounded like White Stuff - was it there?

I tend to buy most clothes online now, not because of this, but it does avoid this risk.

I agree the OP should have probably asked for a refund or exchange, but I am not sure what the legal position is if something gets damaged once you have paid for it. It's probably the dog owner who should have compensated you rather than the shop.

So would I. It's not the waiting staff's job to clean it up. If the owners/managers allow them in they can employ cleaners. And charge the customer extra.