Hot Topic (8/19): Dogs in the grocery store?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

 

Oregon Department of Agriculture to launch campaign to keep dogs out of grocery stores

by Larry Bingham, The Oregonian

Sunday August 16, 2009, 7:17 PM

Massage therapists and bakers cater to them. Some hotels and brewpubs embrace them. Oregon loves its pooches so much that a cottage industry of spas, boutiques, and day care centers has sprung up to meet their needs, especially in Portland.

But there's one place Man's Best Friend is not welcome anywhere in the state -- the grocery store. In fact, it's illegal for a canine to roam the candy aisle unless he's a service dog.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is launching a public awareness campaign to remind shoppers and retailers of the law. The reason: more than 100 complaints a year. It's the chief gripe from the public at the ODA's Food Safety Division, says administrator Vance Bybee.

"There's a trend, a growing trend, for people to treat their pets like a member of the family but they forget we still have to draw the line between our furry children and those without paws," Bybee says.

"Interestingly enough, we get more complaints in Bend and in the Pearl District of Portland where people are more affluent and have the opportunity to pamper their pets and feel this pet is a part of my family so I am entitled to do with it what I like."

ºDogs stand accused of urinating in aisles, licking meat packages, sniffing food items. Every once in a while, a complaint involves a snake around someone's neck or a rabbit carried in a purse, but canines are the primary offenders.

The Portland Farmers Market earlier this year banned dogs from its popular Wednesday and Saturday markets because vendors and shoppers groused about sanitation, safety and crowding. One vendor lost a sandwich to a big-mouthed mutt and one customer tangled in a leash had to be taken to the hospital.

The market has heard cheers and jeers regarding the policy, says Jaret Foster, senior market manager, though most people have favored the change.

The beagle blowback isn't from only from cat fanciers. Many complaints have come from dog owners who think their brethren have boundary issues.

Enforcement of the code would hold retailers accountable, which doesn't seem fair, so ODA officials hope the campaign will improve things. The dog-shaped posters and brochures won't appear in grocery stores until September.

Bybee believes the situation has gotten out of hand for a few reasons, a sense of entitlement being only one of them. Retailers hesitant to ask customers personal questions about service dogs, fearing lawsuits, is another. Bottom line: The Freddy's manager can enquire about what your labradoodle has been trained to do but not what your disability is.

"The person needs to identify the service the animal performs that they can't do for themselves," Bybee says. "There must be a direct link. It's OK for retailers to ask that question."

And for the record: "Emotional stability" and "comfort" -- explanations given by offenders in the past -- do not count as things a service animal, by legal definition, can provide in the grocery store.

For comfort, there's ice cream on aisle 5.

* * *

How do you feel about seeing dogs in the grocery store?

Do you support a ban on dogs in grocery stores?

Why or why not?

(Have you ever taken your non-service pet into a grocery store?)

[dlb99]

I am a dog lover, (I have a golden and a long haired dapler dachsun) but in my opinionn, I DO NOT believe that animals of any kind belong in any eating/drinking establishment or grocery store.

[mamaof2angles]

Ok I can understand that but what about service animals???

Quoting dlb99:

I am a dog lover, (I have a golden and a long haired dapler dachsun) but in my opinionn, I DO NOT believe that animals of any kind belong in any eating/drinking establishment or grocery store.

 

[PestPatti]

NY already has an oridance  about bringing animals into stores and such.   UNLESS its a service dog.    And most service animals have some sort of identifier so everyone knows its a WORKING dog.

 I was leaving Wegmans other day, and a young girl was trying to bring her "purse" sized dog into Wegmans.   They werent having it and asked her to take her dog outside.   She said she would sue Wegmans .   I was thinking good luck with that. 

 

[sillyone]

 

How do you feel about seeing dogs in the grocery store? No, No, No I am one of the complaints they gotten this year in Oregon. I can't stand the idea that non-working animals are allowed in the store. We have had this law ever since i have known. I have noticed more and more ppl bringing dogs in grocery stores. I always complain to the stores, they do move fast and get rid of the animal.

Do you support a ban on dogs in grocery stores? Yep for sure (but not working dogs)

Why or why not? LIke the article said, they lick on meat, and I say one that was licking themself then jump and started to lick on the produce. Just not right. they just get in the way. Plus its just not cleans sitiution.

[PamR]

Service dogs - yes; pets - no.

[LoriAnn87]

unless it's a service dog yes they should be alound in grocery store or any other store but a regular dog no.

[iluvmommyhood58]

It's a liability. If a dog bites someone, and I don't care how nice your dog is, you never know, a public establishment could be held responsible for allowing the dog to be present. Not to mention, allergies, improper canine hygiene (I'm sure the health department doesn't like it), hair, urinating or defecating, destruction of property... just keep the dogs outside. Exceptions are made for service dogs for obvious reasons.

[Blueroses_78]

I agree with the above posters - service animals - yes, pets - no.

[mommy2xp]

How do you feel about seeing dogs in the grocery store?  icky

Do you support a ban on dogs in grocery stores?yes

Why or why not? why would i want a dog licking itself then licking food packages that i'm  gonna buy and take home? or peeing on the floor? 

(Have you ever taken your non-service pet into a grocery store?) no

i feel it's fine for service animals as that person needs the animal to help with daily things and service animals usually go through a training program and are much better behaved than any dog i have seen that is not

[JakeandEmmasMom]

Service dogs are fine.  They have been so highly trained they are not any sort of nuisance in public.  Pets are a totally different story.  My kids are afraid of big dogs, I am allergic, and it is just unsanitary to have pets in places like the grocery store.