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Taking A Pet Out to Public Places

Okay so after watching all the "Camelot" bunny clips from a "non active" user and just thinking about life around here in general...

I am really annoyed that people treat pets as objects to "show off"... I know here in Southern California people treat animals like accessories and take them to really hectic crowded places (where I guess pets are allowed though I don't see the point in bringing them) to get attention... Even though a pet is well mannered I think that would be a stressful and confusing situation for that animal... I dunno...Thoughts about this, agreeing this is okay to do, whatever is welcome!

Personally: I just would never put my dogs in that kind of situation! What is the point? I would rather take them on a nice walk around my neighborhood without people all over... people (here in CA where I live) walk dogs on super busy streets too and I don't agree with it (unless you don't have a choice but where I live you do) they deserve a peaceful setting :)

I basically don't like an animal to be used as a prop I think it is ridiculous

I'd oppose the situation you're describing, but it depends on the pet and the motive. I've taken 'pocket pets' around in relatively crowded places, but they never seemed to mind - they got to smell new and interesting things and have cuddle time in my pocket/handbag/hair whatever. Never seemed to stress them.

My dogs wouldn't like being out in a crowd, but I know some people who have very friendly (but well-behaved) dogs who would rather enjoy going out to a busy (pedestrian!) street, or a shopping centre.

I don't like that people use animals as accessories, but if you have a dog, and you want to transport it from A to B, and it fits comfortably in a handbag... well, why not?

Rambling on a bit: when I was in Manchester this summer, I saw a man walking past a Starbucks holding a fluffy white rabbit in the crook of his arm. It just sort of hunkered down against his chest, calm as you like, and was politely bored with the attention it received from the young female crowd.

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I take my dog to as many places possible. Not to show her off, but to get her out of the house. I honestly believe that my dog prefers to be out with us as often as possible. The alternative would be to be lying around the house.

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In Spain it is illegal to take any animal into any place where food is sold. With the legal exception of seeing-eye dogs. But even they are sometimes made to feel unwelcome. There was a case here locally of a restaurant owner who refused to allow a guide dog inside the restaurant, and when told it was the law the response was, "I don't care, this is my place and I say no."

As for malls, etc...also illegal. Security will remove the animal and owner if seen, and there is a hefty fine involved. Mostly due to the poss of frightening someone who has a phobia, or to the risk of inappropriate soiling, which is the order of the day in my city. Only over the last 5 years do we see pet owners (mostly young adults) cleaning up after their dogs in public. Older people don't bother.

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Well, Portland is 'dog city'.... there are several places where you can take your dog, if they can't come inside, then the establishments will have a designated spot for leashes to be tied complete with a water bowl and some treats. Every animal is different and has different temperaments, I say it really is a 'case by case' basis as to whether or not it is for the animal's best.
I know if I could afford it, one of my cats would love to be a 'purse' animal.... she really does enjoy being with and around people and doesn't want to leave my side. Of course, if she started to freak out and show she didn't like it, then I wouldn't, but I highly suspect she'd enjoy it.

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It is the law (even in the US) and just plain rude to take no service animals into malls, restaurants, open air markets and grocery stores.  Not everyone likes animals.  Some people are extremely allergic or afraid of dogs and cats.  I don't think people should infringe on others rights.  There is designated areas to take animals, like pet stores and parks, that allow them to see the world.  People should also stop leaving their dogs in the car when they are out running errandsor shopping.  It's cruel.  Despite what some people insist, most dogs prefer to stay at home with the occasional walk or trip to the park.  Many animals experience anxiety when taken to crowded areas.

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I voted yes, but then thought I probably should have voted other.

Grocery stores = no.

I think service animals should be allowed everywhere.  If someone is allergic (or doesn't like animals) then place the service animal and the offened person on opposite sides of the establishment.

I have a dog.  I take her just about everywhere with me.... I live on the beach where I can walk everywhere and there is outdoor dining with areas for dogs.  Also, most of the shops down here allow them inside (not places that seel food though).

I think this question is best answered on a case by case basis.... based on the animal and the place/situation.

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i am not referring to guide dogs at all! those should be allowed everywhere... i am talking about "pocket pets" i think it is annoying... i have no problem with taking your dog places with u... i do the same... over to friends houses, i would go to a dog park, dog beach, or take my dogs with me to a pet store that allows them and such if that needs clearing up... i agree with the comment that not everyone is okay with dogs... some people are very afraid of them so bringing them along to some super crowded place to me is stupid and selfish... i do hate when people leave their pets in cars when they do their shopping... leave them at home!

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Service dogs are well groomed, well trained and are generally a breed of dog that rarely sheds.  They are also not really considered pets but aids for the handicapped.  So, yes they are rightly allowed everywhere.

I was thinking more of the barking chihuahua or large, barely behaved dog.  These should be only allowed in certain areas.  In my city, it has become ridiculous.  Most mangers or store clerks don't even bother asking someone to leave for fear of a fight.  Except for Target.  Once, I say a women screaming at an employee as she was exscorted out with her two white dogs.  The attitude that  the "I don't care what people think. I will take my dog anywhere.", above the law attitude does not support anyone's case.  I think quite a bit of people are just getting sick and tried of it.

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Service dogs are well groomed, well trained and are generally a breed of dog that rarely sheds.  They are also not really considered pets but aids for the handicapped.  So, yes they are rightly allowed everywhere.

I was thinking more of the barking chihuahua or large, barely behaved dog.  These should be only allowed in certain areas.  In my city, it has become ridiculous.  Most mangers or store clerks don't even bother asking someone to leave for fear of a fight.  Except for Target.  Once, I say a women screaming at an employee as she was exscorted out with her two white dogs.  The attitude that  the "I don't care what people think. I will take my dog anywhere.", above the law attitude does not support anyone's case.  I think quite a bit of people are just getting sick and tried of it.

this is kinda what i am talking about... taking them EVERYWHERE with you... i do have chihuahuas so maybe that's part of the reason why i don't with it... they r crazy barking psychos

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this is basically the video that sparked me being so disgusted with this: Camelot Bunny she is seriously dragging that bunny along on a walk and uses the bunny for attention IMO

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I voted no, but I think it's completely context dependent. There are some locales (in my experience, not usually in the big cities of America) where it just fine and dandy to take your pup with you to the convenience store. As I understand it, it's quite normal for dogs to accompany their owners to cafes and restaurants in many areas of Europe.

However, the phrase "not meant for pets" implied to me that we're talking about locations where either there are restrictions in place or  are generally not "pet friendly". For my dog's sake, I try to avoid taking him with me to these places and instead take him to the nearest public park or green area. I think it just induces unnecessary stress for him and creates awkward social situations for me. I wish my community was more animal friendly, but alas it seems that we're a little bit infatuated with the wants and desires of our own species as a culture right now.  ::)

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I voted no, but I think it's completely context dependent. There are some locales (in my experience, not usually in the big cities of America) where it just fine and dandy to take your pup with you to the convenience store. As I understand it, it's quite normal for dogs to accompany their owners to cafes and restaurants in many areas of Europe.

Yes, in Germany, UK, Holland and parts of France dogs on a lead or animals in carriers are OK on public transport, trains etc. Not so in Spain! Here animals must be crated to travel and I wouldn't because the baggage handlers are NOT particularly careful with them. There are places in Europe that don't have a problem with dogs on a lead in restaurants. As long as they're well socialized etc. I personally wouldn't have a problem with it, but here in Spain, particularly the South, the dogs act like bratty children (and bellieve me, in this region "bratty" sinks to a whole new low.) Why? Because older people tend to treat them like surrogate toddlers, and since they don't socialise their kids, either...you get the idea.

I wouldn't have a problem with someone carrying a small dog in a shop as long as they don't put them down where they could get stepped on, raise the leg, or be hassled by some little Spanish brat who should be on a leash. (No, I don't hate kids. But here, small children are taught that they are the centre of the known universe and that anything they do is "cute." This includes teasing a dog unmercifully and even stepping on it on purpose...then the kid gets nipped and the parents want to sue.)

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Most public transit in the US also allows small dogs and cats in crates or restrained by a leash.  

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Definitely case-by-case. I mean, in general, dogs are supposed to loathe fireworks, right? I know a guy who has the reverse situation: he's ambivalent, but his dog will more or less drag him bodily to the beach to see the fireworks on July fourth, so she can bark back at the loud noises. And it's not a scared bark, either: it's the tail-wagging, ears-forward, prancing on forepaws, deep-voiced greeting or playing bark. But then there's my stepmother's dog, who hides under the bed for the rest of the day if he hears noises from the train yard a good few miles away. Or my dog, who really couldn't care less either way.

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Most public transit in the US also allows small dogs and cats in crates or restrained by a leash. 

Animals should be allowed on public transit, when I moved back down from Alaska I had to bring my cat with me, I didn't want to leave him!  So he flew on the plane with me, 3 layovers, 4 flights.  Cat was exhausted and was crossing his hind legs for the litter box by the time we got there!

But for the most part I don't think animals should be allowed, such as malls, grocery stores, retaurants, etc.  Reason being, dogs pee, cats arn't so bad since they generally use litter boxes, but dogs pee everywhere.  True, most don't, but that 1 out of 100 will pee on the table, poop, and who wants to be around that?  And most of the time, the owners of that unrulely dog who pees or poops will just leave it. 

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You can pretty much see dogs everywhere in Holland. The pocket ones are generally leashed, but the bigger ones are. I have two dogs, but we don't tend to take them with us, as we have 2 kids and a small car.

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As a libertarian (or, more specifically, Anarcho-Capitalist) I believe that "Public Places" simply should not exist.  Everything should be privately owned, and whoever owns the property gets to make the rules.  Don't like the rules - you are free to leave.  (Sort of like on this or any other forum.)

It is a basic economic fact that property owners will need to encourage people to do business with them (as opposed to their competitors), and it is their business decision whether they want to allow pets on their property or not.  I'm certain that lot of private parks, neighborhood associations, and even shopping malls will find it in their best interest to allow pets.  The same would also apply to smoking, breast-feeding, gun control, drunk driving, and pretty much everything else.  When local authorities get to make their own rules without forced centralization - everybody wins!

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