A Bunnings employee has criticized dog owners for bringing their pets into the store, claiming that workers are not adequately compensated for cleaning up animal feces.
Tuesday, the employee vented on social media after a customer captured a photo of “Barney” the blue heeler puppy sitting in a shopping cart during its “first visit” to the retail store.
The hardware company implemented the contentious policy allowing dogs in the store in 2015 and received controversy when a cavoodle was murdered in a Brisbane store by a pit bull terrier the previous year.
However, the worker’s allegation had nothing to do with dog fighting.
The post stated, “Dear everyone that takes their pets to Bunnings.” Please stop, I’m not compensated enough to clean up your dog’s feces and urine.
If you can’t train your dog not to urinate inside or don’t care enough to carry poop bags, don’t bring your pets to a store.
I assure you that your dog will be fine at home. If they need enrichment that badly, accompany them on a bush stroll. Sincerely, an underpaid employee of Bunnings.
The comments made by the user with the alias “smallspringonion” went viral, eliciting both praise and ire from other users.
One reader stated, “The problem is not with the dogs or the ordinance; it is with the trash dog owners who cannot properly educate and care their pet.”
The number of people who do not pick up after their dog in public is laughable. If they can’t be bothered to clean up their dog’s feces, they shouldn’t have a pet,’ added a second person.
However, this is a risk that businesses assume when they let pets inside. It neither makes it good nor bad,’ wrote another.
I worked at McDonald’s throughout high school and college, and I cannot count the number of times I had to clean strangers’ children’s feces from the playland slides. However, what can you do?
Surely the owner must bear responsibility for their pet’s conduct. If they can’t be tamed, don’t bring them out in public,’ remarked another user.
“I recommend taking your dog to the park,” said another.
After a cavoodle was crushed to death by an unsupervised pit bull terrier at a shop in Stafford, north of Brisbane, last year, there were renewed calls for Bunnings to restrict pets.
The company permits pets into the store so long as they are muzzled and secured safely in a truck, cart, or leash while wearing a muzzle.
Additionally, visitors have been provided with cardboard for the animals to sit on in the carts.
Matt Tyler, general manager of operations for Bunnings, told news.com.au that the policy would continue.
He stated, “Customers have been bringing their dogs inside our stores for years.”
“Dogs are permitted in our stores if they are nice, under control, and abide by the entry requirements. We attempt to apply common sense while allowing dogs in our establishments. This includes cleaning up after their pets, something the majority of dog owners are responsible for.’
With an ever-expanding selection of pet products in stock, we are becoming an increasingly popular destination for pet owners in the Australian market.