Dogs At The Store

Just imagine you're in the supermarket.  You're listening to that crappy music they like to play.  The items you want to buy aren't on sale.  In general, things are sucking.  Then, you see it.  Some moron strolls in with their dog.  Why?

This writer isn't talking about service animals.  There's a purpose for them being there.  No, this writer is talking about regular, old pets.  Back in the day, the store used to stop this from happening.  Now, people just waltz right in like this is normal.

For the most part, things have gone fine.  But this writer has seen the signs that things are about to go wrong.  This writer has seen a Pitbull tensing up on people in the store.  Sometimes, the dogs aren't even on leashes.  That is third-world crap.  There will be cases of dogs being walked into stores and attacking people.  The question then becomes who is at fault when a dog attacks a customer in the store.

It's only a matter of time before customers or employees are on the wrong end of those teeth.

Is it the store?  After all, they are liable for everything that happens on the premises.  Somebody could slip on squirrel piss in the farthest reaches of the parking lot and try to sue.  So, if a dog is walked in by a customer and it attacks another customer or employee, that could mean a pretty hefty lawsuit.  At least in a sane world, that's what it would mean.  And it would be the store's fault for allowing dogs in the store in the first place.

This needs to be normal at every store.

What about the dumbasses who bring the dogs in the store?  More often than not, this writer notices the dogs are often nervous, hence they might be more likely to lash out and be aggressive.  Surely, the owner knows this.  Heck, this writer has seen owners have to reassure their dogs.  Here's a tip for those owners who don't know what to do.  Leave the damn dog at home!  We don't need to see your dog that bad.  No one cares about your dog.

None of this factors in the unsanitary conditions and general chaos this could led to.  What happens when the dogs start licking produce?  What happens when a dog takes a shit, and a kid slips on it?  What happens when a dog starts barking for no good reason?  Heck, what happens if two people bring in their dogs and the dogs start fighting?  Are they bringing fleas into the store?  As stated before, some dogs are allowed to walk around without a leash or collar.  How does the owner stop the dog if it's just determined to be an asshole?

We can't really blame the dogs in any case.  After all, they are being led into the store by their owners.  This writer has never seen a dog willingly walk into a store by itself.  This means they are being subjected to situations they really don't want to be in.  Anybody who has experience with any living creature knows only bad things follow.

Stores need to start shutting this shit down before such incidents happen.  It should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.  Unless it's a service dog, it's not allowed in the store.  Full stop, no exceptions.  It doesn't matter if it's a snarling Pitbull, a lumbering great Dane, or a fluffy Pomeranian, leave it outside.  All violations should be met with a 30-day ban.  If it's a store that specializes in pets and pet supplies, let them in.  But in grocery stores, malls, and libraries?  Nope.

Until next time...