AIBU to want cafes to be dog free after grandchild was bitten?

[OhSoTrue]

What to do? Took my 12 year old gc into a cafe for lunch today, and a dog
snapped her ankle as we walked by. It drew blood. No idea why it picked on her.
She did nothing beyond walking in the door.

The dog owner 'fled the scene' as it were. Made a hasty exit while he had the chance and everyone was looking at the injury.

Wouldn't it just be better if we kept dogs out of what really should be an exclusively human area?

The argument that "they are allowed here so suck it up" is wearing thin.
We are all very fed up of your dogs in human spaces. The vast majority of us would prefer a dog free space.

Why is it ok to have dogs in pubs but not cafes or shops?

You’re not into compensation culture bit think Op should sue the cafe owner? Very odd.

Most people? You have figures to back that up?

I’ve seen kids show themselves up in cafes, far worse than any dog has. Maybe ban both, especially those who use buggies to prohibit others. rudeness isn’t specific to dog owners.

I agree ☝🏻

A popular pub near me has the right approach. Dogs are welcome in their covered, heated outdoor area but not allowed inside. The covered courtyard was erected during Covid to serve coffee and snacks to walkers passing by and then opened ( and extended) to punters when allowed.

The traditional pub near me allows dogs in the bar but not the lounge. Water, bowls and treats are provided and one of the bar staff wears a “dog mum” t shirt!

Couldn't agree more. It's utterly laughable that dog owners believe everyone loves their dear pet pooch. My 5 year old was also bitten, where dogs were not legally allowed, and is now petrified of dogs. If one comes into a cafe dc freezes and what, so we have to leave?

Yeah, most dogs are fine... until they're not.

I do find it strange how culturally we accept dogs in cafes and even some shops. I imagine I’d be asked to leave if I brought a pet parrot/gerbil/guinea pig/cat to a restaurant.

Citation please? Your rigorous survey of non dog owners with the data and evidence for this?

I can only offer anecdata but I for one am a non-dog owner who LOVES seeing dogs in pubs, cafes and parks. The same is true for most of my social circle. Dogs in pubs usually get patted, stroked or fussed from most other people in there.

In general, dogs in pubs and cafes are both very well-behaved and very popular with other customers. The hostility on this thread doesn't tally with anything I've seen in real life.

I don't trust dog owners, especially those that claim, "He wouldn't hurt a fly", as their dog jumps up & tries to lick your child's face. Dogs bite humans all the time. Some owners are the ones being bitten.
If your dog bites it should be muzzled & retrained. The owner should be fined, named & shamed.

There is a cat called Otis whose owners live in Lincoln and they take him to quite a few cafes. He is famous in the area

Sick of dogs being in enclosed eating areas, little consideration for those who are allergic. Also find it slightly unhygienic. I like dogs but choose not to have one due to allergies, I’d like to enjoy my meal or coffee without having a reaction or going home and feeling the effects afterwards. Also hate when too many dogs are in an area and they react to each other, not a relaxing coffee break then

They've got cat cafes in lots of areas! I don’t think it’s strange, you take a dog for a walk and have coffee, not seen anyone walking a gerbil 🐹, but I may be wrong.

I have reported it. It bit my child. I know who the owner is. It has bitten before. More than once. I think the dog was on it's final warning

THAT dog should not be in a cafe. But that doesn’t mean all dogs should be banned.

I work in an independent coffee shop that allows dogs. The vast, vast majority are very well behaved - in fact I can’t think of the last time we had one in that wasn’t.

The coffee shop is very busy, I’m not sure that having dogs in there has put many customers off, there’s usually no more than one or two in at a time, and they mostly lay under the tables or out of the way.

Certainly from a business point of view it’s a good thing to allow dogs, we get plenty of customers who come in just because we accept dogs,

I can’t see this changing anytime soon.

Do they walk him there, I have seen a cat on a leash once!

Me and DH take our dog to pubs, cafes, restaurants, garden centres all the time and we are not selfish idiots.

He can be left at home but is happier when with us and we love taking him places.

Surely the answer is that if the majority of people did not want dogs in cafes etc, that they would vote with their feet and dog-friendly cafes would suffer. The fact there are so many suggests people are either neutral or want dog-friendly establishments. Personally, i’m neutral- I will happily go to either.

perhaps rather than demand everyone has to do what you would prefer (dog free cafes, in this instance), why don’t you simply chose places which are run to your preference? Why does everyone have to align to your desires? If enough people agree with you, the dog-friendly places will lose business and either have to change their policies, or close.

If this dog has bitten before why the hell hasn't this cretin muzzled it when they are out?

Do they walk him there, I have seen a cat on a leash once!

Our town has a giant tortoise who gets taken for a walk on a lead, and can sometimes be seen sitting on a bar stool in a local pub. He’s quite the celebrity!

it was a survey of mumsnetters!

YANBU at all, OP. I'm a dog lover but I'm really sick of their being allowed everywhere all the time, particularly where food is being served. Ditto entitled dog owners who think it should be 'doggy comes too' at all times, including visits to peoples's homes.

I really do not believe that is true. Everywhere we take our dog there are always a lot of people who want to speak to us to tell us how gorgeous he is and ask if they can stroke him. Far more people are interested in him than people that are not

I find it strange that some dog owners are adamant that the OPs post is untrue and that the majority love seeing dogs in cafes restaurants and shops just because some people want to interact with their dogs.
They don't think that the silent majority just keep quiet and put up with it because we have no choice.
All my local independent cafes allow dogs. If I want to go out for a quick lunch I have no choice but to go to one that allows dogs.
When I was growing up no one took dogs into places serving food or shops. I don't understand why they have to go into them now. And I can't see how it's much fun for the dog either

My dad is also a certified round dodger so he definitely gets it from him 🙄

I love tortoises! That’s epic, I would indeed go to that pub to meet said tortoise!

I have gone into cafes because - and only because - there was a beautiful dog inside, and a free table next to it. I thought I might get to pet it and I did. I didn't even particularly want a coffee!