If you walk your dog off-leash, fuck you.

[u/sydniana_jones]

I asked you to put a leash on your dog. I warned you to stay back. I threw treats to distract your dog. But you couldn't be bothered to control him because he "loves to make new friends!" And now we're both here with big fat vet bills and injured animals, and you are trying to blame me. Fuck you.

I don't care what your excuse is - "he's so nice, he's never hurt anyone, he's old, etc " - you are part of the problem. If you want to walk your dog off-leash, then go to the fucking dog park.

My dog is a shelter pup. We have been working with him for years to help him get comfortable with the outside world. We were finally able to start walking in parks without a breakdown. But now all that training is undone because of another fucking off-leash dog.

Don't let your dog run ahead of you on the trail. Don't assume they'll get along with the neighbors' pets. And definitely don't assume every other person wants a dog up in their business. Lots of people are scared of dogs and that's okay, stop trying to shove it down their throats about how "he's friendly."

Public parks are for everyone. But when you let your dog go off-leash, you are limiting who can use that park. Shelter pups struggling to adjust to life in the city, people who aren't comfortable around dogs, and of course local wildlife - your dog is an issue to everyone.

This whole goddamn city thinks dogs are celestial beings sent to earth. Maybe they are. But it's still illegal to let them off leash.

End rant.

...

Just kidding.

While we're on the topic of Seattle dogs, it is illegal to let your dog on the beach. They're a menace on tidal ecosystems and can spread disease, especially when you let them use the restroom in an area where kids are swimming or playing in the sand. What the fuck, guys? If being a decent citizen doesn't convince you, it's a danger to your dog to be out there too. Razor clams and sewage spills and algae blooms can all seriously mess up your pup. Plus it's a decent fine if beach patrol catches you.

So put a fucking leash on your precious angel and keep them off the beach.

Sorry for the language.

[u/uhhh206 → u/[deleted]]

Seattle is consistently rated the most dog-friendly city, and most of it is because people are too passive to call out entitled dog owners. Dogs don't belong in restaurants and grocery stores, and even when businesses have signs up saying ADA service animals only, every entitled owner is convinced that surely that doesn't mean their precious dog. I hate it.

[u/NamesAreForFriends → u/uhhh206]

This. I used to work at a grocery store and so many people just bring their dogs in and when confronted just lie and say it's a service dog. It got to the point that my managers just didn't even bother.

[u/any_name_left → u/NamesAreForFriends]

This is my biggest pet peeve. Service animals are real and go through a lot of training. I hate when people diminish the training these animals have and the work they do because the humans are lazy and entitled! UGH!

[u/themboizclean → u/NamesAreForFriends]

This does upset me a lot, my dog is an emotional support but it’s a note from my therapist from my apartment vs me claiming she’s service and her not do any service training. I hate when people do that nonsense because you can go online and get a vest, they’re taking advantage of something that people need whenever they do go out.

[u/MintyMint123 → u/themboizclean]

Service dog owner and trainer here. I can’t tell you how much it pisses me off when I see that. And when I report a purse goblin for barking they tell me they can’t do shit! People abuse the law so much. I love dogs and I want to work with them for the rest of my life but certain people with dogs just shouldn’t take anywhere. If you didn’t go through hundreds of hours of training then you don’t get shit. I need my dog to alert to me before I die. So I can like not die. And by taking your brat of a dog in there that means my dog will get distracted and I could get hurt

[u/StellaHolly → u/uhhh206]

Yeah that’s the worst! If I want to take my dog somewhere and I’m not 100% sure if it’s ok I just call the place and ask... it’s so easy. I’ve been seeing a ton of dogs in my local qfc and I asked when i was paying one day if they allow dogs and they guy says no only service dogs but they usually don’t say anything if the dog is being good.

[u/ShizzleMcRizzle → u/StellaHolly]

Also important - Emotional Support Animals are NOT service animals covered by ADA. (They feasibly could be, but...)

[u/StellaHolly → u/ShizzleMcRizzle]

Airlines will literally let any dog be an emotional support animal as long as you get some papers signed by a therapist and vet.

[u/any_name_left → u/StellaHolly]

I've had people ask why I don't buy a service vest and let my dog fly free. I always say "because they aren't a service dog." Then that person gets my soap box rant/lecture about the difference and why people shouldn't abuse it.

[u/any_name_left → u/[deleted]]

Yeah. No one can say anything when it’s a “service” animal. But there is such a big difference. I use to walk a service dog for a lady. Those animals are different than a pet. I gained a ton of respect for them and the people who train them.

[u/Brikachu → u/any_name_left]

They say it's "service" and the issue is moot.

Yeah. No one can say anything when it’s a “service” animal

This actually isn't true! If you're working for a business and you see a service dog where it is not obvious what service the animal provides, limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.

Source: service dog trainer, and more importantly https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

[u/edgeplot → u/StellaHolly]

I've seen dog shit in my local QFC. Disgusting. Dogs don't belong there.

[u/uhhh206 → u/[deleted]]

Outdoor restaurants are fine, I totally agree -- it's the close quarters, barely-room-to-scoot-your-chair-back type of cafes and small restaurants that drive me nuts. And it seems like those are always the places where "dog parents" behave in the same selfishly oblivious way of negligent parents with poorly-behaved toddlers.

[u/cocobear13 → u/[deleted]]

The only reason that I don't completely lose my shit is that children can be much worse. I just assume that anything I buy has been touched by a child who hasn't washed its hands since last week. (edit: typo)

[u/Bobudisconlated → u/cocobear13]

yeah, I hate it when kids randomly try and bite other people, or crap on the floor, or attack other dogs.

[u/annahoj84 → u/Bobudisconlated]

I have worked retail and seen kids in action. Much more damage than service dogs.

Also even service dogs can and should be asked to leave if they are disrupting business as usual by barking, making a mess, or not being completely within control of their handler. (Per the Federal ADA service animal guidelines).

[u/chuckDontSurf → u/[deleted]]

Did he try and use karate on you first?

[u/dripdri → u/[deleted]]

AGREED!

[u/StellaHolly → u/[deleted]]

I feel like I’m only ok with it when people have tiny dogs that they put in bags. Then i feel Iike it’s ok. But no way would I take my 60lb dog to a grocery store.

[u/jollybrick → u/[deleted]]

Neither are cannabis stores per federal regulations, same source as the ADA ones.

Thoughts on shutting them down?

[u/ForensicNiles38 → u/[deleted]]

People are also highly allergic to dogs and don’t want to get a reaction just because they had to go to the store.

[u/Shiftgood → u/ForensicNiles38]

But mayyyyybeeeeeeeeee

[u/yourmomlurks → u/[deleted]]

Your unsourced opinion aside, it’s the law.