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Laws for pets in stores?

Is there anything on the books? Just had another angry employee tell me it's illegal. I asked her what the law is and then she proceeded to get more angry and asked me to leave. By the cracked cadence of her voice she sounded like she was lying. That was after I put my dude in the hot ass car for a minute. Most stores don't seem to care. I really don't even think about it. I just don't like leaving invaluables in the car. I think Kroger on Monroe, Anderson's in Maumee, and Claudia's are the only ones to say anything. Always a bit surly about it, too.

Isn't it illegal to declare something illegal when it might not be? Or act as a false authority?
As a customer aren't are I allowed the courtesy of being proven wrong?

created by charlatan on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:35:11 pm     Comments: 18

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Comments ... #

I think if there's food or food being served on the premises, only service animals are permitted. That's what I can recall from my days in food service. I think grocery stores would probably fall under that umbrella.

posted by MT1973 on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:51:23 pm     #



Its a healt code violation in grocery stores also. The only exception are service dogs

posted by lfrost2125 on Oct 12, 2008 at 09:36:11 pm     #



health code sorry, and if you are asked to leave you have to other wise you can and more than likely be charged with trespassing.

posted by lfrost2125 on Oct 12, 2008 at 09:38:03 pm     #



Common sense says leave them in the "hot ass car" or at home. I am a dog lover, but realistic as well.

Lame.

posted by Ryan on Oct 12, 2008 at 09:40:48 pm     #



You've got to be kidding. It sounds as if you care about nobody but yourself and your dog. How about leaving the dog at home or at a kennel or with a sitter. It seems rather rude to expect others to cater to your needs.

posted by AmericanPie on Oct 12, 2008 at 09:57:43 pm     #



Agree it's best to just leave the dog at home. Sometimes though I'll bring my dog with me to go bye-byes and if I plan to go in a store I keep it under 5-10min and if it's above 60 I'll keep my car and AC running (like running in for a pizza). Otherwise if I need to do real shopping I'll take him home first.

Safer for the dog, and safer than leaving the car unlocked running for the AC.

posted by jshriver on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:41:14 pm     #



On a side note, my dad and stepmom had a bad experience. They had the dogs with them and ran into Krogers to get a few things (milk, bread, etc). They were only in there maybe 15min and when they came out there were several people around their van, and someone had called the cops (they had their windows up).

When they came back they got in their car and told one of the bystanders (see the car was on with the AC). Still freaked them out though. Not sure what would have happened had a cop showed up.

posted by jshriver on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:44:18 pm     #



Even if there isn't a law on the books, the place in business is still considered Private Propriety, and they can have a policy of not allowing pets inside of the building. IMHO: unless it's a service dog, the only time you really should be able to take pets inside a store is when you go to a pet store, but I'm not going to tell a place how to run it's business. As a proud owner of 2 dogs and 1 cat, I can tell that most stores are not places you need to be taking your pet, but then again, after working retail for 3 years, I also believe you need leash laws for kids under 10 :) If you are talking your dog into places like Office Max, then maybe you need to reexamine your attachment to the pet.

posted by drunkenwildmage on Oct 13, 2008 at 08:52:56 am     #



Just leave your dog at home Carty...

posted by SensorG on Oct 13, 2008 at 10:03:57 am     #



I thought you knew everything Charlotte Ann.

There is this site called Google, perhaps you've heard of it?

http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/3717-1-06.4

(O) Prohibiting animals.

posted by natalrahc on Oct 13, 2008 at 10:59:56 am     #



I have allowed dogs in our business. Dog owning customers love it of course. But other customers are not as accepting. A few with fear of dogs get pretty irate. Some dog owners arn't responsible and have allowed their pets to have accidents on the floor. So, we don't encourage it but don't get all bent out of shape if Fido makes an occaisional appearance.

One retired gentleman used to bring in his Corgi on every trip. "Goldie" was a well behaved delight. The employees were so charmed by her that they kept treats behind the counter just for her. Her owner became increasingly crippled with arthritis but every time he and Goldie got in the car Goldie went nuts when she got close to our business. So one day he pulled into the parking lot and let her out of the car alone. We have automatic doors. She sailed in the front door and ran behind the counter and sat up for her treat. She would politely take her treat, turn and run back out the front door to the car. This continued for over two years until she died of heart failure. (Probably from too many treats!) One of the tiny rewards for a small business owner is the flexibilty to occaisionally bend the rules.

posted by holland on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:18:38 am     #



"I think Kroger on Monroe, Anderson's in Maumee, and Claudia's are the only ones to say anything. Always a bit surly about it, too."

So it sounds like you've tried to bring doggy into stores on a regular basis. Yes, it's a health violation.

posted by billy on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:49:02 am     #



Billy's right - Service dogs only in establishments with any type of food service permit.

BTW every where you eat in Greece the doors often remain open in good weather and animals wander in and out among the tables. No one pays any attention. Same thing in parts of Turkey.

posted by holland on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:54:34 am     #



There's an antique health code violation to prevent taking your dog into the store with you, but it's difficult to enforce. The law that really pertains is trespass, which the store owner/manager can apply at whim.

It's been my experience that the people who squawk loudest about where your dog belongs have small cretinous children with them. Your well-behaved dog is clearly an annoyance and possibly a danger to society, which their own loud, destructive germ spreading little darlings are just being too cute for words.

posted by madjack on Oct 13, 2008 at 01:16:21 pm     #



Oh, the crap I could tell you about kids in retail establishments. It isn't the kids who are cretinous, it's the Mommy's. And don't get me started on people who in bring box car sized child strollers. They ram shelves, fixtures, inventory and any human in their way and then expect others to tolerate it wihout complaint. Give me a dog who shits on the floor any day.

posted by holland on Oct 13, 2008 at 03:49:58 pm     #



Most stores don't seem to care. Even the ones with food service licensing. Not like anyone really cares about food quality/safety anyway.

It's not my thing to leave my priceless beings in a car to get kidnapped. Maybe I need a cooler backpack or blanket. Or a stroller. They're like kids but I actually planned them, take better care of them, and they behave for and respect others.

But I can do the victimless crime and the non-time. I just bet it'd get thrown out in court.

posted by charlatan on Oct 13, 2008 at 05:10:04 pm     #



charlatan's previous comments about dogs ...

http://toledotalk.com/cgi-bin/tt.pl/article/17292/Running_at_Wildwood_Metropark

Dogs are like kids except kids eventually have their own thoughts, ideas, etc. and aren't always obedient.

posted by corky on Oct 13, 2008 at 05:26:06 pm     #



I echo the other posters here....leave the dog at home. I take mine with me whenever I can, but he's only allowed into pet stores, then he sits in the car if I have to run in and get anything anywhere else.

On a side note, out in colorado it's not like that at all. Tons of shop owners allow dogs in their shops, as most have their own laying around in there, it's pretty cool.

But also, you're trying to bring your dog into grocery stores? How about try some common sense there. Nothing like your dog taking a leak on the nice display of vegetables they have out.

posted by MattL on Oct 13, 2008 at 06:07:11 pm     #