[LG999]

I believe this may be against health regulations. I think only service dogs are permitted.

[Shagone]

I do wish all stores, especially grocery stores, would prohibit this. In PetSmart one day I saw a little dog lift it's leg and pee on a stack of bagged dog food. I also saw a person in the grocery store put his dog in the shopping cart...so his butt is where everyone puts their food as they are shopping. So gross.

[BossLady]

Originally Posted by Rosie1950

Bingo; people here are just to judgy.
As for a dog laying cable in certain stores, happens all the time, most likely 1 of 2 reasons.
1, weren’t pottied before entering
2. Anxiety and stress from being placed in unknown circumstances.
#1 is laziness on owners part and #2 can be a danger to those unsuspecting shoppers who HAVE to touch without asking.
True service dogs never leave their owners side, should be on the floor, leashed (retractable is fine for wheelchair handler) (PTSD Veterans may allow their service dog off leash to enter an establishment to make sure it is safe for the Vet, the dog will return to the Vet and signal it is safe to enter)
The service dogs SHOULD NOT be on chairs in a restaurant or fed from the table.
Service Dogs are housebroken
Most Service Dogs wear harnessing, to signal to the DOG they are working, and let bystanders know they should not be distracted. When out of harness they know they can be a dog and off duty.
I learned this and much more from volunteering at Fidelco Guide one of the most trusted names of guide dogs in the nation
Moral of the story, volunteer and stop judging.

A dog with a job! Good Dog. Your description keenly outlines a properly trained service animal and I appreciate your experience.

Extensive professional training is required to be a dog with a job. All other dogs without such rigorous training programs are amateurs, “pets”, and all pets are emotionally supportive. Pets are not entitled to vie for space at the seafood counter when I am buying shrimp. They have to stay home. When an identified, badged, harnessed suited professional Guide/Service/K9 unit animal shows up on the scene, I will give that Pro and its handler a great deal of space and respect! I can easily spot a pro in action.

Pets and legit Service Animals - big difference.

It’s up to the human to make the decisions. I often see this phenomenon as well, people risking the health and safety of their dogs by putting them into situations. Example... fast arriving at mail cottage the other day I see a lady with two small dogs like people, on the passenger seat of her golf cart, with two loose leashes dragging on the ground as she rolls in at 15 or 20 mph. I immediately bring to her attention the leases dragging the ground and that could they so easily get caught up in a wheel and pull the dog(s) off the cart while moving... She kinda laughs and grabs up the leases and flips them back onto the seat in the exact same position, dangling towards to ground and goes on to get her mail. Unprotected, put at risk by the owner, these dogs sit on golf cart seat, an accident waiting to happen because the woman is so unaware. Shaking my head...

[cmeinel@verizon.net]

I think Lowe’s is pet friendly too. I knew in PA the law forbids animals in any establishment that sell or serves food. Service dogs not companion dogs are allowed. You cannot train your own strive dog unless your licensed

[Travelingal702]

Originally Posted by JGVillages

In 14+ years in TV, and I shop at Publix, I have never seen a dog that wasn’t a service dog.

Opps, not so. I know someone who regularly takes their little dog into Publix. When asked what the service is for, the owner responds, "I have diabetes" (it is NOT a service animal). Of course, it's not "politically correct" to ask this, but not everyone is up on all the rules and regulations governing dogs. ONLY certified Service animals are allowed in areas where there is food. COMFORT (aka Emotional Support Animals) are NOT allowed in any food areas (eg. Supermarkets, restaurants, etc.) But I have yet to see anyone eject them. I love dogs and have had many over the years. I am not selfish enough to think they have to accompany me everywhere!

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by pjackson8

Why must people bring their dogs into grocery stores?
It is disgusting!!! I saw one dog licking and sniffing unwrapped food items. Today a man brought in his big, wet, smelly dog!

Seeing eye dogs are definitely legal, but they are easy to spot. “Emotional support animals” are sort of questionable. I wonder about people who will flip out without their dog present to calm them down. I’ve seen more and more of these dogs on planes in the past couple years (not in the past few months, of course, as I haven’t been on a plane since Christmas). Some are quite large, and the owners aren’t paying for extra seats for their dogs. I’m just glad I’ve never had, say, a golden retriever sharing my legroom. My understanding is that federal law doesn’t actually require stores and airlines to allow emotional support animals the way it does require provision for seeing eye dogs. Some airlines are considering either banning them or requiring them to be shipped in crates in the baggage compartment or requiring passengers to purchase seats for them. Stores could ban them, too, but at what cost? Would customers with such dogs stop coming?

There’s another aspect, though. In The Villages, much of the year you don’t dare leave your dog in a closed car in the daytime, even for five or ten minutes. Even walking your dog in the daytime—especially on concrete or asphalt—verges on animal abuse, right? I’d rather see a live animal in a store than a dead animal in a car.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Read the Federal ADA law. The dog is a service animal who performs a necessary service for the owner, who has a disability and cannot function without the dog's assistance.

I see “pets” in the grocery store too. Some laws are an “overreach” IMHO.

[Janlindsey4@gmail.com]

Please write your concerns to the manager of the store. He should know how people feel...

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by TOMMY D

I've been in Winn Dixie and on one occasion the woman did have a monkey and was feeding it grapes and on another occasion another woman had a Iguana and was tearing off lettuce to feed it.

Wonder if my wife will be ok with us bringing the monkey to publix later. Will buy him a bunch of bananas there so hope nobody thinks I am dishonest.

[RedChariot]

Originally Posted by JGVillages

In 14+ years in TV, and I shop at Publix, I have never seen a dog that wasn’t a service dog.

Service dogs don't urinate in the dairy isle and owner just walks away. Publix Colony. Service dogs don't wrap themselves around your ankles nearly sending you off balance and owner giggling, "she must like you." Publix Colony. We are over run here with dogs.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Rodneysblue

I have a pet cow I’ve trained her to give me milk when I’m thirsty. Can I bring her in too?

Does she supply chocolate milk?

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Read the Federal ADA law. The dog is a service animal who performs a necessary service for the owner, who has a disability and cannot function without the dog's assistance.

Many of those "service" dogs are not service dogs at all. Don't get me started on "emotional support" animals. UGH!!!

[Fuzz323]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

If a dog is riding in a cart in a supermarket, in a pram, on an extendable leash, or sitting next to its owner in a restaurant, it is not a service dog.

Foolish statement. I can not figure how you know what a service dog is and is not. True service dogs come in all shapes and sizes and are sometimes required as companions due to specific problems the owner may have.

If as I think you are divining your info from a mystic source I would love to have the powerball numbers for next week. Thanks in advance.

[NoMoSno]

Originally Posted by Fuzz323

Foolish statement. I can not figure how you know what a service dog is and is not. True service dogs come in all shapes and sizes and are sometimes required as companions due to specific problems the owner may have.

If as I think you are divining your info from a mystic source I would love to have the powerball numbers for next week. Thanks in advance.

A service dog is required to have "4 on the floor" at all times.
If it's riding in a cart it's not a true service dog.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by JGVillages

In 14+ years in TV, and I shop at Publix, I have never seen a dog that wasn’t a service dog.

I agree with you but in defense with the people that think it’s discussing. Service Dogs have rigid harnesses on them, not a 6 to 10 ft. leach where they can wonder to both sides of the isles. Service Dog are obedient, I also never saw a Service Dog not paying attention to their owner & sniffing everything. I know some people love their pets but leave them home for 45 mins.