It’s an increasingly common scene in Westport: a dog on a leash.
But not in Winslow Park, on a sidewalk, or Soundview Drive (skirting by centimeters the no-dogs-on-the-beach rule).
These pooches are in indoor spaces: the post office. Downtown stores. Markets.
Westporters are noticing. A few readers contacted “06880,” asking about the trend.
Shopping at Trader Joe’s.
They raise interesting questions.
- Why are more people bringing dogs into spaces they’d never take them before?
- Where and how do owners’ rights intersect with the rights of others to be in a dog-free zone? (A related issue: What about people who for whatever reason don’t like — or are scared of — dogs? Including children?)
- Do any laws — either actual or social — regulate when, where and why a dog can or should be in a public space?
Dog stories are catnip for “06880” readers. We know there will be many comments. Please keep them civil. Dogs can’t read, but their owners — and non-owners — can. We’re all neighbors.
This is also a great topic for an “06880” survey. Please click here to respond.
We’ll fetch all the replies, and report back soon.
(If it’s happening in Westport — or people here are talking about it — you’ll find it on “06880.” But we can’t do this without readers’ help. support. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Agree this is a thing. Not sure why. I was in Stop & Shop last week and a guy with a small dog let him roam around loose yet on a leash. This could have been problematic if someone tripped or got tangled up. Dogs are not allowed at the Westport Farmer’s Market- per the health department. They are allowed at the mall in Norwalk.
I, too, have been seeing more and more dogs in stores. What if someone is deathly allergic to dog dander? What if someone’s child is afraid of dogs? I like dogs and am not allergic to them, but I still feel that other than seeing-eye-dogs, our canine friends should not be permitted in stores and other public indoor places. Ten years ago, I don’t think anyone would have dreamed of taking a dog into Trader Joe’s. What happened?
I dated a few dogs (actually more than a few). I won’t mention any names (they know who they are). But I never took them out in public. I haven’t revealed this previously, but I typically took my dates to the south beach at Compo (where they could run). Westport went to the dogs a long time ago. This was an easy layup (even for me at 5’ 7”). I can’t wait to see what Jack has to say.
I have so many thoughts about this topic, Dan would need to allow me to have 18 comments. Jack Backiel, President, Janine Scotti Fan Club
Dogs should be allowed on sidewalks, streets, and very limited public stores… like a hardware store or post office… they don’t belong in any food or drinking establishment… and or clothing store …. And they must be on a leash.
dogs are family.
Couldn’t agree more. Pets are like the mortar, grout and thinset adhesive that holds the tiles together. To carry the analogy further: It’s important to give your pets a thorough cleaning regularly. Otherwise things go to the dogs (from an olfactory POV). Don’t try to do it yourself, engage the services of a licensed professional.
Thanks, Richard, for that succinct comment and for the only one worth a shit, or that should be paid the slightest attention.
I’m an owner of two dogs. I am not one of the people who take my dogs everywhere. However, I have people bring their dogs into my store quite often. If they are well behaved they are welcome, but I have no food in the store. If I have other customers who are afraid or allergic to dogs in the store at the same time, I have asked those with I dogs to leave the store with the dog until the other customers have left or one of my staff, all who love dogs, will offer to take the dog outside while they shop.
I don’t think dogs should be allowed in food stores, but if they are eating outside, I think it is ok as long as the dogs are well trained and well behaved. I know dogs are allowed in Home Depot, Lowe’s etc as long as they are kept on a leash.
There are service dogs that are not seeing eye dogs and of course those dogs must be allowed everywhere with their handlers. Those dogs are supposed to be wearing identifing vests so they know they are working and others can see they are service dogs. These dogs are extremely well trained for at least 2 full years to become a service dog who is trained to assist the owner/handler with a specific task such as a diabetic or someone else it’s seizures or low blood pressure before anyone else could tell. Some dogs are trained to assist people with balance issues, or hearing impaired people. There are lots of other reasons other than for seeing eye dogs, but they are equally trained for what their job is. Emotional support animals are not required to be trained. The person only has to have a doctor’s note saying that for psychological issues they need to be able to own this dog and then they can’t be charged extra to stay in a hotel with the dog and landlords can’t say no you can’t rent the house/apartment even if they list the property as animal free only.
Many of these emotional support dogs are poorly trained or not trained at all (they are just pets where the owner got a letter from a psychiatrist or psychologist (sometimes online)that allows them to bring their pet places to where they wouldn’t normally be able bring them.)
As long as both the dog and the owner are respectful of others, especially those who may not be comfortable around dogs, as long as they aren’t around food stores or inside restaurants in my personal opinion, it think it should be ok for them to take their dogs everywhere else with them on a leash. They are part of the family. I do think we should be allowed to park at Compo with a dog in the car and be able to take them for a walk on a leash, but not on the beach. It’s a great place to take a walk with a dog, as long as people pick up after their dog.
I know I may not be in the majority with my opinions, but I do think owners need to make sure they are courteous and their dogs are very well trained to be allowed everywhere.
I’ve seen this woman at Whole Foods with this dog, and I steer well clear of them (she handles the dog roughly and has to keep him/her on an extremely short leash — neither is a good sign).
Have two dogs and love nearly all dogs, but there’s absolutely no reason to bring them into a grocery store or pharmacy. For the most part, I just chalk it up to typical Westport entitlement. People know the rules and just ignore them. That leaves it to low-paid store employees to police this, and I can’t blame them for not wanting to deal with a Karen making a scene.
If you genuinely can’t go to the grocery store without your “therapy dog,” then you need much more intensive mental health treatment than a pet (and should probably just get grocery delivery in the meantime).
That said, this has nothing to do with people being afraid of dogs. Dogs are a fact of life.
Westport is not exclusive to dogs in store. I have viewed dogs in Costco. Home Depot Corporations allow pets for obvious reasons. Dogs are flying more and more Contractors drive with their dogs. This is not some unique Westport issue. it is a social issue that demonstrates how humans rely on dogs for friendship love and company.
I’m a dog lover, but this is not a matter of opinion – it’s against the law in CT for dogs to be indoors in food establishments, including grocery stores and restaurants. (Restaurants can allow them on outdoor patios.) Service animals are excepted, though not emotional support animals.
Apparently Connecticut health regulations, prohibit dogs (except service animals) inside indoor food establishments or any areas where food is stored, prepared, or served.
I often have wondered about people who are allergic to dogs may respond to dogs in public places.
I saw a dog, on a leash, that was full of energy that surprised a small child who cried and fell down. The parent scooped up the child and moved away. I wonder if the management would worry about loose business if it posted sign asking that customers would please not bring a dog into their store?
I see from the information from Kristin Schneeman and Pat Saviano that the law was broken by that dog owner
I wonder if management of a grocery store would worry about loosing business if they posted a “Please posted a “Please, no dogs allowed except service dog.”
Mike Hibbard
Perhaps if the sign also cites the specific CGS statute and CT Food Code section (ask your favorite AI chatbot), that might be a (very tiny) bit more of a deterrent while giving cover to the grocer.
I love dogs. However I don’t love dogs in grocery stores, restaurants or frankly any business.
I would be very interested in a survey of what vets and dog trainers have to say about this subject.
Some dog trainers tell you not to let your dog sit on your couch!
Vets should have educated opinions on this subject.
A survey of the general public is of very little value.
Legal question – what if I trip over a dog and injure myself in a commercial building or a store? What conditions would have to exist that would allow me to sue the owner? Or sue the store owner for allowing the owner to bring in the dog?
My guess is that there are already a lot of case laws on the books.
I think it might be because of the heat. if the dog is with you you can’t leave them in the car to go into the store
Or if it’s hot, leave your dog home.
What a bizarre concept. For those with poor sarcasm detectors, that was sarcastic. Leave the dog at home. They will be happier there.
It’s a natural act in NYC, probably no where worse than the UWS. Some dog owners run all their errands with their furry companion, blissfully disregarding signs prohibiting their pets from an increasing number of establishments.
With the COVID exodus and continued Mamdani Migration, I suspect it only increases until there’s finally some sort of “incident” that finally forces change.
mamdani migration ? Netenyahu just opposed Trumps Gaza withdrawal plan
Many dog owners feel a deep need to take their dogs into countless shopping places. This was rare prior to Covid. Now,many managers refrain from saying anything. Some folks want to avoid what could be a negative situation, in terms of the request to keep doggie outside
For all of you hopping on the dog-legislation-bandwagon, might I offer a different perspective. After all, Robert Blasko, what if I trip over a kid at the same store/restaurant? Perhaps we should ban kids in stores and restaurants too, because I see FAR more kids running all over the place, breaking things, littering, and screaming, as parents turn a blind eye to their child’s disruption. And they’re not even on a leash! So they can wreak havoc throughout the entire establishment, as they often do. Something I never let my own children do… Or my dog, for that matter. So, perhaps the solve is simply asking people to stop being obliviously entitled whenever and wherever they are out in public, or they will be asked to leave – dog or otherwise.
How about a new weekly entry Dan? Entitlement parking photos along with entitled pets in stores?
Give the 06880 elderly something to beatch about.
Growing up in Westport years ago, I can’t recall ever seeing a leash and most certainly never saw anyone picking up a dog’s poop,
Lived at the end of a private lane and we had a Bassett Hound that we let out in the morning and let in when she barked at the front door at the end of the day. She once walked in the front door with a duck in her mouth and dropped it on the expensive white carpet all proud of herself.
Neighbor had a beautiful German shepherd who would charge toward us when we rode bikes after school. We learned to deal with it as children.
dog owners who bring doggies into stores are borderline narcissists and stores should enforce the rules.
“I’m sorry Sir‼️ you can’t check out with an animal. please put back your stuff.”😀
Touchey (Feeley),
You’re wrong. Borderline Personality Disorder and Narcissism are two totally different animals. They may appear in the same person and pet therapy (dogs, cats, hamsters, goldfish) have been proven to alleviate the symptoms. Bottom line: WHO let the DOGS out (woof, woof, woof, woof)?