Westport should not be going to the dogs.
That’s the result of a (highly unscientific) survey, conducted by “06880.”
The poll — spurred by readers’ emails about a noticeable increase in dogs being brought into public places — was posted Sunday.
As of yesterday afternoon, there were nearly 200 responses.
The first question was simple: “Should leashed dogs be allowed in indoor public places?”
Almost exactly 2/3 of respondents — 67.6% said no. Only 32.4% answered yes.
An increasingly common Westport scene. (Photo/Charles Rosoff)
The second question was only for those who said “yes” to the first one. It offered 9 specific choices, about where leashed dogs should be welcomed.
Proponents hardly gave carte blanche to pets, however.
More than 9 in 10 — 90.5% — thought outdoor restaurants should allow dogs.
But the only other spots garnering more than 50% approval were retail stores (63.5%), the post office (also 63.5%) and luxury stores (54%).
Lagging behind were business offices (47.6%), small markets/convenience stores (39.7%), supermarkets (20.6%) and indoor restaurants (also 20.6%).
Dogs would be least welcome in doctors’ offices (19%).
Some of the more than 2 dozen commenters noted that in Connecticut, dogs are prohibited from indoor restaurants and grocery stores. However, employees are sometimes hesitant to enforce the law with customers. One reader pointed out that dogs are not allowed in the Westport Farmers’ Market.
Dogs are not allowed at the Farmers’ Market. (Photo/Sam Levenson)
There were comments about the difference between service dogs (trained, allowed everywhere) and emotional support dogs (often untrained, not allowed everywhere).
In one additional discussion, a reader noted that some people bring dogs into indoor spaces because it is too hot to leave them in a car.
Another countered, “If it’s hot, leave your dog home.”
(Click here for the original story, including all comments.)
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Should, perhaps,allow dogs, and ban babies….some 70% of supermarket cart handles have shit (yes, folks, shit) on them…dogs don’t put it there.
dogs really are magic, they bring people who are at serious odds w/1 another (now mostly over politics, policies, etc.) to genuinely laugh and smile together, i.e., to harass dogs and their humans this way is an irritating, lots of eyes rolling to back of head and side eye inducing mistake if you enjoy a really happy community.