AIBU to expect a dog-free area in a restaurant?

[Diorling]

Hi,

I recently met up with my family for lunch at Bills at Clark’s Village in Somerset. It’s not an area I know, but looked to be good for a meet up. it was a lovely sunny warm day and folks were out enjoying their shopping. It was a great atmosphere.

It was pretty empty in Bills as we were early. The waiters were lovely and showed us to a table, and we were busy looking through the menu when I smelt a fairly unpleasant smell. I looked up, and a family were being sat at the next table. The smell was coming from their dog, which was being sat right next to me, rather than on the other side where there was an empty table. It wasn’t a dog that sat nicely on the floor and went to sleep either - it kept on trying to move towards me and the family.

Now I like dogs, grew up with them, and have had my own, but one of the children was attacked at the park by a random one once ( it ran up to him), and he is now terrified by dogs. The dog kept edging towards him, and he kept trying to shrink away along the long bench seat as far as he could. Not only that, but frankly the smell was appalling.

i spoke quietly to the waiter, explained the issue, and he moved us to another table in the opposite corner. It’s a large restaurant, so problem sorted. Except it wasn’t. Within 5 minutes they had shown another family to the table next to us - despite most of the spaces still being empty. They too had a dog, but this time it was lifted onto the seat (and later laps of the family). Again it was right next to us. Whilst I love dogs I don’t expect to have their nose by my elbow and frankly don’t think it’s very hygienic.

I complained to the restaurant but they explained they were dog friendly, and even had a dog menu (‘Bone Appetit’).

Now that’s fine - if I had known it. But as I pointed out, there were no signs anywhere to that effect, nothing on entering - and apparently no dog free area for those who prefer not to eat near dogs. Obviously we won’t go there again (a pity, as staff are lovely and the food was good - if you have dogs, and are round there, it’s a great place to go.)

But for the rest of us, I just don’t like dogs around when I eat out - and if they have to be there, then surely their place is sleeping quietly on the floor?

AIBU?

Pathogens in dog poo is a thing and the remains on the hair can still be there. Just because the research hasn't been done it doesn't mean there aren't health risks. Again, I pointed a massive one out to you asthma triggered by dogs which Incidentally can be covered under the Equalities act if those people are discriminated against.

I can't understand why you need to take a dog with you if you are just nipping out to the shops TBH.

I don’t expect a dog free area in a dog friendly pub but I do expect clear signage that it is dog friendly. Somewhere. Definitely.

One of my patients became blind from toxocara canis. Unfortunately she was already blind in one eye and this parasite in dog faeces put paid to the other. Dog faeces is bad stuff.

I am totally sickened by the post above that talks about a dog in a supermarket being allowed to lick packets of food that were put back in the freezer - unbelievable!

You asked the question and deserve an answer . I did some research, and was intrigued to find that dogs are banned from restaurant kitchens ;-

Dogs are banned from restaurant kitchens primarily to comply with food safety laws and prevent the spread of bacteria, hair, and contaminants into food.
Legal and Hygiene Rules

• Food Safety Laws: Regulations (such as UK Food Hygiene Regulations and EU EC No 852/2004) legally require food businesses to prevent domestic animals from entering areas where food is stored, handled, prepared, or cooked.
• Contamination Risks: Dogs can carry bacteria, dander, and shedding hair on their bodies and mouths.
• Human-Mediated Pathways: Food safety experts note that the main risk is not just the animal's presence, but human behavior—such as a staff member petting a dog and then handling food or aprons without washing their hands.

So whilst in one way you are right, it’s only in part. Because if there wasn’t a risk then wouldn’t they be allowed in restaurant kitchens? The answer above is clear.
The dander can affect folk with sensitivities, they can carry bacteria, and the main vector is of course human behaviour, as above.
So a dog on the floor, quietly lying out of the way, should not present an issue, but this changes if it is allowed up on the furniture, is not well controlled and especially if staff pet it and then do not properly wash their hands etc.

Me either. It’s on a retail park so I get that it is a drive, but that particular retail park only has the range, a couple of eat in restaurants and a bunch of empty shops. There’s a tiny B&Q tucked away, around the corner but that’s it. Most of the shops were Woolies/debenhams/mothercare etc that have all gone under and the prices are BONKERS there so no one wants to take them on.
why the heck would you want a dog to go to the range, b&q and pub?

You don’t need to understand why people do things they’re permitted to do.

Was in a café last month which had a blackboard listing the conduct expected from dog owners. Fair enough, but at the bottom of the list was advice for those with allergies to dog hair...we were advised to 'take relevant precautions' before coming. More or less saying tough luck, we're not interested in catering for your needs. Whatever next...peanut allergy? ..make sure to bring your EpiPen! The cafe, part of a garden centre, was huge and they actually had a set up where it would have been so easy to have a dog free zone. I love dogs but can't be close to them for too long before I start feeling like I'm coming down with flu. I'd love it if all eating places could make it clear if they admit dogs, maybe a sticker beside their hygiene rating which is always prominent.

Well considered and answered. Good information to have.

We occasionally go to a garden centre near my DD’s & they have a dog area just outside (but inside) their restaurant, I prefer going there than to my local one for that reason. I’m not a dog person & I really dislike seeing dogs in restaurants, coffee shop’s & cafe’s, particularly if they’re on owners laps up at the table or sprawled on the floor in the way so that other people have to step over them.
Having said that, if a dog is asleep under a table, that’s ok because it’s not really impacting on me.

Totally agree - people don’t give a shit about pet allergies unfortunately. They think you are exaggerating or that it’s just like hayfever. My experience like yours is flu like symptoms and prolonged exposure can make me ill for a couple of days - yes even with antihistamines