‘Poop Cleanup In Aisle 9’: Hard Pass On Dogs In Stores [Block Talk]

Note to people who take their dogs to the grocery store: No one wants to touch, let alone buy, that package of meat your dog slobbered on, tried to gnaw on or, worse, lifted its hind leg on.

That’s the consensus of readers who answered our informal survey for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column. We asked them to tell us the exact moment it became OK to take dogs on shopping trips.

No one pinpointed exactly when that was, but many speculated it is tied to the growth in the number of legitimate service animals to treat a growing number of disabilities defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Respondents were in agreement that legitimate service dogs aren’t an issue. They’ve been through extended training to remain calm but alert and fixed on their partner’s needs. They are not troublemakers.

Many retail and hospitality businesses, such as grocery stores and restaurants, have become more accepting of dogs that may not be officially recognized as service animals. It can be uncomfortable for store managers to request proof, and the people who rely on service animals are unlikely to be walking around with documentation regarding their medical conditions, a couple of readers said.

And some people fake their documentation with internet downloads and buy vests designed to look like the real thing, Nashua (New Hampshire) Patch reader Jynx pointed out.

“People who buy fake service dog vests for pets or who use a pet an ‘emotional support animal,’ which is not a service dog, do a disservice to those who need actual service dogs,” Jynx said.

‘Dog Fight In The Meat Department’

“Absolutely nothing is OK with bringing the family dog grocery shopping,” said Babs, who reads Greenwich Patch and Stamford Patch, both in Connecticut. “It is just wrong, inconsiderate and a public health and safety issue.

“Poop cleanup in Aisle 9,” Babs deadpanned. “Dog fight in the meat department/pet food aisle.”

Poop and dog slobber were big sticking points with survey respondents — for example, Grace, a Carlsbad (California) Patch reader, who said that “when a dog’s butt or face or saliva is going to be in contact with anything I own, it is too much.”

“I love animals but I wouldn’t let my toddler’s butt that has just pooped on your shopping cart where your food is going to be,” Grace said. “And I wouldn’t let my kids slobber on a table where your food is going to be or where you are going to sit. So why do I want your dog doing that?”

Mj, an Ocean City (New Jersey) Patch reader, has seen some things and cannot unsee them.

“A great example of the wrong in allowing pets in stores is what I observed in an area grocery store this past year. A man was carrying his bulldog in his arms. Of course, the bulldog was doing what is normal for a bulldog to do, saliva dripping from his snout,” Mj said. “This person held the dog over the meat counter while picking out his meat selection and, of course, you can imagine what was happening to the saliva coming from the dog’s mouth.”

Mj inquired about the store policy regarding companion animals. Only legitimate service animals are allowed, but the store manager doesn’t enforce the policy, Mj said.

Farmington (Minnesota) Patch reader Jane is grossed out by what she’s seen, too.

“This is the dumbest thing stores could allow,” Jane said of the growth of open-door policies to dogs, adding, “I would be sick if a dog came and pooped in the aisles and then drug its ass around to clean it — and I am buying food?”

“It is never OK,” Cinnaminson (New Jersey) Patch reader Ric said.

If people who can’t be away from their dogs long enough to go shopping should have their groceries delivered, Ric said.

They certainly shouldn’t act entitled or think everyone should love their dog as much as they do, other readers pointed out.

“People are self-centered and think only about themselves in this matter,” Plainfield (Illinois) Patch reader Niecy said. “Not everyone loves your pet like you do.”

“Almost ran over a dog in the aisle with my cart as I didn't see it,” Wall (New Jersey) Patch reader Aussieusa said. “But the owner seemed to think I was the problem.”

Dog Sits On Open Cases Of Meat

Bierce, a Morristown (New Jersey) Patch reader, chimed in with the leave-dogs-at-home crowd.

“I once went into anaphylaxis due to fuzzy cat fur or dander. Also, pets should not be taken near meat, fish, deli, or other open food counters,” Bierce said. “If every shopper brought a pet, the store would become a zoo of birds, cats, dogs, and other four-legged pets. And what if the pet gets loose? Leave them home!”

Severna Park (Maryland) Patch reader Pete has this image seared into his eyeballs:

“I saw an owner of a small dog cutting up chicken on her plate and putting it on another plate and letting the dog sit on her lap while its paws were on the restaurant’s table eating from the restaurant’s plate. The restaurant was full of people at other tables.

“Now, come on, that is absolutely ridiculous,” Pete said, ticking off a list of maladies a dog might spread. “Let’s stop this nonsense. Dogs are dogs, not humans. They should be left home.

“I’ve seen dogs sit on open cases of meats and produce, as well as urinating and defecating in various different places in a grocery store, including on the shelves, and the owner just walked away,” said LBJ, who reads multiple Across Connecticut Patch sites, including Vernon Patch, Manchester Patch and Mansfield-Shorrs Patch.” Absolutely disgusting.”

Some people don’t have much room to talk, according Susy P, who reads Toms River Patch, Berkeley Patch, Point Pleasant Patch and Manchester Patch, all in New Jersey.

“Our shoe bottoms are filthy, people pick their nose and then handle produce, and only one out of six people wash their hands after toileting,” Susy P said.

Dogs Are Always Licking Themselves

Our question struck a sharp nerve with Zie, who reads Redlands-Loma Linda (California) Patch and longs for the good, old days when everyone knew it wasn’t OK to take non-service animals into grocery stores, restaurants and malls.

Zie just deals with it, despite a very long list of reservations. What if the dogs have lice, ticks or other parasites? What if they had been bitten by a rabid animal and didn’t show symptoms until they tore into another shopper or that person’s pet?

It’s the unsolicited licking that sticks in Zie’s craw. Not everyone wants to be licked by a dog that has licked itself all over, or to touch a cart handle the licker has licked. It’s the dog’s bum in the child seat in the cart, too, especially if the dog had diarrhea or something. These are all potential problems.

And don’t even get Zie started on that time someone brought a baby pig into Costco, put it in the child seat where she usually puts her purse and other food items — although she does raise a valid question: “I wondered why it was permitted and how it was healthy, and why, then, can’t everyone bring in all their animals: snakes, spiders, rodents, etc.”

Zia just wants an animal-free zone when she shops. But she keeps quiet and vents her frustrationat the keyboard. It is safer that way.

“Nowadays, one never knows who will become indignant or angry if anyone objects to the inconvenience or fear it brings them,” Zie said. “One is forced to endure others' entitlement choices for fear of an aggressive owner or bystanders verbally attacking or videoing and villainizing one.”

West Orange (New Jersey) Patch reader George thinks fears of an out of control dog dropping a deuce near the meat counter or a louse jumping from a dog’s coat to a kid’s head are overblown.

“I used to be in retail management (home improvement) where the rule was no dogs, but I did not enforce it and never had any incidents of urine, feces, bites, bad behavior from dogs, or complaints from other customers,” George said.

Does The Dog Even Want To Shop?

The answer to our Block Talk question may be what’s best for the dog, said Pamgirl, a Morristown (New Jersey) Patch reader.

“Your dog doesn't want to go to all the places you think it wants to go. They’d rather stay home and do dog things. They need time alone, too,” Pamgirl said.” People have begun to think of dogs as people that like everything that they like. I love my two dogs but they don't like the car and, after a few tries, I've realized that they probably never will so I respect that.”

“Dogs aren’t people, and I say this as a dog lover and former dog owner,” Venice-Mar Vista (California) Patch reader MelleMel said. “You aren’t doing your dog any favors by making it helpless being alone. There are plenty of places they can go; the grocery just shouldn’t be one of them.”

An Upper Moreland-Willow Grove (Pennsylvania) Patch reader thinks whether dogs should or should not be in stores depends on the dog.

“If the dog is disruptive and barks a lot, then no, it should not be allowed,” the reader said. “If the dog is well-behaved and does not attempt to interact with other shoppers and possible animals, then yes it could be allowed.”

“I have no problem with pets in a pet store, a garden center or nursery or a home improvement center. And, I even find it ‘fun’ to dine with these furry friends on an outdoor patio,” Dunedin (Florida) Patch reader Jersey Girl said.

“But, pets (unless they are ‘official’ service animals) should never be allowed indoors in any location that sells food items,” Jersey Girl said. “This is unsanitary and is the reason pet crates have been made. The crate keeps the animal safe until its owner returns home.”

Katie, a Chatham (New Jersey) Patch reader, is pleased to see more place allowing animals.

“I believe they can do so much good and are very therapeutic,” she said. “I used to teach high school and I believe that an occasional visit from my dog would have really reduced the stress among the students and staff and would have been something for everyone to really look forward to.

“I personally would love to be able to take my dog everywhere I go. She is definitely a member of my family,” Katie said. “However, you have to know your dog well — how the dog does in public places, and whether it is likely that she/he will do his/her business in the establishment.”

“It is 2025, and we all treat pets as family members,” Stamford (Connecticut) Patch reader GMMG said. “My Frenchie comes with me everywhere and I don’t feel comfortable leaving her locked in the car.”

Sarasota (Florida) Patch reader Isabella doesn’t see any reason why a well-trained and behaved dog that fits in the grocery cart child seat shouldn’t be allowed.“Often these sweet pets bring joy to other shoppers,” she said.

“If the dog is well-behaved and not in contact with store merchandise, it should be OK,” said Monica, who reads Manchester Patch, Bedford Patch and Concord Patch, all in New Hampshire. “My fur babies are very social, and I often put him/her in a carriage with a wrap.”

It’s fine to take small, obedient dogs into stores and restaurants, according to Rachel, who reads Beverly-Mt. Greenwood Patch and Evergreen Park Patch, both in Illinois.

“I was in Paris, France in the mid-’80s and I couldn’t believe all the dogs in restaurants,” Rachel said. “Big dogs and small dogs. And they were all well-behaved.”

‘We Allow Kids In Stores’

Shadow threw shade on kids.

“When they ban 3- and 4-year-old kids from the supermarket, then they can ban dogs,” said the Oak Park (Illinois) Patch reader who now lives in St. Louis. “At least the canine is on a leash.”

Dunedin (Florida) Patch reader Flo is right there with Shadow. “Well behaved dogs are much more appreciated than out of control children who run through the aisles screaming and grabbing things off of the shelves,” Flo said.

Old Town Alexandria (Virginia) Patch reader Kayla is OK with dogs in stores, and even restaurants “as they are leashed and under control, meaning they’re not barking at other customers or other dogs, getting into the shelves, licking items, making a mess on the floor, etc.”

“We allow kids in stores even though, in my experience, they can be much more badly behaved and far more obnoxious than dogs are,” Kayla said.

Lee, a Southampton (New York) Patch reader, said it’s best to leave dogs at home, but better to bring them inside than to leave them in a hot car.

“People take kids into food stores,” Lee said. “Germy kids who poke holes in food wrappers.”

As long as the dog is well-behaved it should be allowed in any store or establishment, said Parsippany (New Jersey) Patch reader Burr.

“I look at them the same as children,” Burr said. “If your kid or dog is running around like a Tasmanian devil then you should take responsibility and not bring them places.”

Yardley (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Brian thinks dogs should be allowed in all stores, including restaurants.

“Dogs are family,” he said. “They treat you better than people, including family. When a pet dies, the grief and sorrow is just the same or worse.”

Ladiesadie44 would like a word about that.

“I was a pet owner (not a pet parent),” the Brick (New Jersey) Patch reader said. “The term ‘pet parent’ is insane. It gives permission to people to act as they would if they had a child.”

“I have been witness to animals peeing and pooping in stores and the owner just walking right on by. I have seen animals sitting on top of tables in restaurants (not under, not next to, not on the chair but sitting directly on top of the table) while their owner ate their meal with the dog sitting right next to the plate. I have seen animals in shopping carts being strolled around the store and then those same carts being used for groceries and children.

“It’s time for common sense rules to be put into place,” Ladiesadie44 said.

Hackettstown (New Jersey) Patch reader Jo brought up another problem.

“I own an antique shop and you wouldn’t believe how many people I turn away because I don’t want big dogs in my shop. One wag of a big hairy tail can cost them big time if they wipe out a shelf of antique china, etc.,” Jo said. “Leave your dogs home! I don’t drag my cats around with me and I’d never bring a dog if I had one.”

But Are Cats OK?

St. Pete (Florida) Patch reader Janette long ago grew “tired of seeing people’s little pampered dogs in the grocery carts with their feet and butts where I put my food.” And it bugs her when people take their dogs into a restaurant when they pop in to order food and they try to jump on the other customers in line.

“These are pets. Leave them at home,” Janette went on. “I’m gonna start taking my large lizard everywhere. See how people like that. Lol.”

“It annoys me that people feel so entitled to take their dogs to restaurants and grocery stores,” Murrieta (California) Patch reader Lorie said. “Should I take my cat, I imagine I’d be questioned, OMG! But you don’t dare question anyone about their dog. I love my cat very much and even if I had a dog that I love very much, they do not belong in certain places.”

“Where do we draw the line?” Waretown (New Jersey) Patch reader Irene asked.” Should I be able to take my cat to a public place? My pet iguana?”

Is shopping with cats really a thing?

It seems so. New Jersey Patch reader Mel says “there’s always a possibility of a dog bite or a cat getting loose.”

“You should be able to take your dog or cat anywhere,” said Mill Valley (California) Patch reader Cat.

Georgina, a Glen Ellyn (Illinois) Patch reader, is down with that.

“I love seeing pets out and about!” she said. “I saw a pet duck in a cart at Home Depot.”

About Block Talk

Block Talk is an exclusive Patch series on neighborhood etiquette — and readers provide the answers. If you have a topic you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com with “Block Talk” as the subject line.

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