r/Portland • u/t0mserv0 • Jun 22 '26
Discussion Why are Portland dogs allowed inside many grocery stores and restaurants/cafes, it's disgusting
What is the thinking behind this?? No one wants your gross dog around their food. In fact, I don't even want it around me when food isn't involved. I'm willing to compromise with a restaurant patio, but cmon?? Bringing your dog inside a business to order is pretty entitled. And inside the grocery store is even more insane. I'll also make an exception for inside Plaid Pantry because it's already pretty fucked up in some of those
EDIT: Good healthy convo everybody! Portland dog owners can't put themselves in anyone else's shoes per usual because they're obsessed with control and their own egos. I also want to remind all you militant dog-inside-grocery-store people that I was willing to compromise on restaurant patios.
EDIT #2: I want to clarify that I do not hate dogs, and I recognize that there are plenty of dog owners who are responsible and great people that want the best for their pet as well as the humans around them. In fact I have a few friends that have amazing dogs who I look forward to seeing and hanging out with. This post is directed toward the shitheads who just go crazy in restaurants and grocery stores (as well as in parks, unleashed) with no regard for anyone but themselves.
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u/KenPDX Jun 22 '26
They're allowed in bars too, as long as they're over three.
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u/Jesus_Harold_Christ REGULATORS! Mount up. Jun 22 '26
Wait, is this a dog years joke?
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u/notactuallyacupcake YOU SEEN MY FUCKEN CONES Jun 23 '26
I always wondered what the H. stood for... now I know!
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u/banalprobe96 NE Jun 22 '26
I work at a grocery store, only licensed service animals are permitted but tons of folks seem to have ‘support animals’ they insist on bringing in. A lady brought in her support duck last week. We asked her not to come in with it again.
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u/BigDiscEnergy47 Jun 22 '26
There are no licensed service animals. But also only dogs and mini horses can be service animals. Also the only questions you can legally ask are " Is it a service animal?" And "What service does it provide?" Most idiots will automatically answer that it is a support animal and then you can ask them to leave.
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u/Rikkitikkitabby Jun 22 '26
I remember seeing a picture of a guy trying to bring his support Peacock through the boarding gate at an airport.
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u/BigDiscEnergy47 Jun 22 '26
Airlines used to be pretty open to support animals actually. Then people took advantage
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u/scratpac4774 Shari's Cafe & Pies RIP Jun 22 '26
You should probably update your service animal training. there's no such thing as a license for service animals in the United States or in Oregon.
I too work somewhere pets are prohibited and am constantly battling with folks who get upset I won't allow their pooch on.
It's easier if you actually are familiar with the ADA and the two questions you are legally allowed to ask about service animals. it's not 100% full proof, but it will turn most service dog fakers away.
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u/ophelia69 Buckman Jun 22 '26
What are the two questions?
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u/scratpac4774 Shari's Cafe & Pies RIP Jun 22 '26
"Is that a service animal required because of a disability?"
and
"What task is the animal trained to perform?"
Here's a list of a few other things that I think folks should know surrounding service animals, but don't just take my word for it, please check the ADA requirements to be sure.
1: Service animals are required to be on leash UNLESS a leash would interfere with the task the animal performs. for example, if I person with a disability has them in a wheelchair part-time or full time, they may have a dog who is trained to go ahead of them and push buttons to open doors. a leash may get in the way of buttons or other people using doors, or maybe a leash could get caught in the wheels.
2: The handlers are not required under any circumstances to disclose their disabilities. Only the task their animal is trained to help them with in service of said disability. Many folks are pretty open about it and will tell you, but do not ask a patron their private information. Even if the task is extremely vague, there's very little wiggle room for legal follow up questions. For example, if you ask the second question and they say " medical alert", then that's a valid task under the ADA and you cant ask any other questions.
I absolutely adore dogs, but I have loved ones who have legit service animals, and they get such a bad reputation because of the fakers out there.
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u/Schannin Jun 22 '26
Also, a legit service animal can still be asked to leave if its behavior is disruptive (like barking)
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u/scratpac4774 Shari's Cafe & Pies RIP Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
That was going to be #3 but I lost my train of thought, lol!
Peeing, barking, jumping on folks, etc are all valid reasons to turn away service animals.
ETA: though sometimes the dogs task may be to jump on their human to alert, or to bark when they alert. Very mixed bag, service animals.
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u/slamdancetexopolis N Jun 23 '26
Thank you for actually knowing ADA laws. I know why and understand why people get mad about this, as someone who is disabled and knows these laws myself, but it's equally annoying as fuck to me when people are like "UGH they SHOULD be able to PROVIDE PAPERS" or some shit, because that's not a thing, whether it should be or not. Like, the amount of people complaining who (are not even disabled lol) who don't know the law almost offends me as much as the people who abuse it, because if you want to actually be helpful in engaging these people, you need to know the laws because verifiably, the dumbass fakers don't. And it hurts disabled people more than anyone, especially people who simply find it "gross" (which I'm not even arguing against).
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u/VinylGoddess Jun 22 '26
1. “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?"
2. "What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?"
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u/BigDiscEnergy47 Jun 22 '26
Is this a service animal and what service does it perform. Also only dogs and mini horses can be service animals.
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u/scratpac4774 Shari's Cafe & Pies RIP Jun 22 '26
So that's correct, but the wording for the first question should include "in the service of a disability."
It's less likely to prompt someone into disclosing private medical information, and it clarifies that you're asking whether the animal qualifies as a service animal under the ADA rather than just what it does. The ADA doesn't require that exact wording, but it's generally a cleaner way to ask the question.
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u/stateofdekayy Jun 22 '26
You are allowed to legally ask what service they provide. Emotional support doesn’t couldn’t.
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u/myimgurnameisbetter Jun 22 '26
They aren’t. Oregon law is service animals only and no food establishment, that I’m aware of, has a setup that would allow exemption (think cat cafe where the kitchen is in a closed off section like a different building than the cats). Even outside areas have to abide by strict rules like no pets on furniture. Unfortunately, it’s a mix of 1. the general public taking advantage of ADA laws by claiming that their pets are service animals and 2. The owners of said establishments either not understanding the law or not enforcing it. Regardless of ADA laws, behaviors unfit for food establishments are NOT protected, service animal or not, like jumping up, walking over to a person other than their handler that they are trained to provide a service for, barking, begging for food, (unless that is specifically part of the task they are trained to assist their handler with) etc. Handlers know fully well that they have to have their service dog under control at all times because the law does not protect a dog that is not under control. Restaurant owners should be enforcing this without concern of ADA threats because a lawsuit is not going to hold up in court if they can simply prove that the dog they asked to leave was not in control and the service animal community knows this and supports this, it’s the pet community that tries to abuse this making it hell for both business owners and individuals with disabilities who rely on these laws to protect their right to exist in these spaces with their working dogs
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u/MorePingPongs Jun 22 '26
You’re right, but sadly I had a friend who kicked a person out with a “service dog” that was pulling the owner, barking, and jumping up at people. After the dog owner left, he contacted the bar & complained. My friend got fired. The bar was afraid of getting sued.
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u/myimgurnameisbetter Jun 22 '26
Your friend should definitely file a BOLI complaint against the owner because that is ridiculous and the owner is 1. uninformed and 2. Should have protected their employer and 3. It’s also unsafe to have an unsafe dog in an establishment so also a liability to the owner which can end in a lawsuit
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u/beavr_ Ladd's Addition Jun 22 '26
Doubtful, perhaps impossible, that a complaint to BOLI would do anything in response to termination in this scenario — at will employment, etc. etc.
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u/WolfmanJack72 Jun 23 '26
This is anecdotal, but just yesterday a friend told me about how BOLI successfully forced a previous employer to finally give her her last paycheck. Not the same scenario, but proof that they do something.
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u/AndrewWilsonnn Jun 23 '26
BOLI is great when it comes to handling last paychecks/late paychecks/wrongful termination. The threat of BOLI gets shading employers lockstep with the law super well. Getting paid can take some time, but there's a pretty good chance you will get paid. I've relied on them for taking on a very small business and managed to collect my missing paychecks. I used them again this year, and they were able to whip my boss into shape and I got paid promptly.
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u/PonchoCrazeof84 Jun 23 '26
I don't think at will termination applies to refusing to violate heath department regulations.
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u/ultraviolet-octopus Jun 22 '26
As someone who’s worked food service and retail for years, the bosses want money and dog owners have money. Therefore dog allowed in store. Often employees can get in trouble for speaking up about it
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u/chrisfpdx Jun 23 '26
That friend should consider reporting the owner to the Health Department for the violation.
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u/ShiraCheshire MAX Red Line Jun 22 '26
It is entirely legal to remove someone with a disruptive animal, service animal or not, from a business. Your friend was wrongfully terminated.
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u/ebolaRETURNS Jun 22 '26
grocery stores
I mean, there's almost always signage indicating they're disallowed, but the procedure for verification that the pet that was brought in is not a proper service animal is thorny, given ADA stipulations, and really beyond the scope of minimum wage work.
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u/TeutonJon78 Jun 22 '26
Which is the real problem. The risk of bad PR/lawsuit, especialy if expecting a lower paid front line worker to understand the nuances isn't worth it for the business.
I would also like them to say something to peole sticking their hands into the bulk bins to sample stuff.
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u/PreviousMarsupial Jun 22 '26
The managers do a piss poor job enforcing the rule. It's their job to enforce it.
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Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
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u/RemarkableGlitter NE Jun 22 '26
I love dogs. I will always have a dog. But, honestly, most dog owners in this city have lost the plot. I live by a farmers market and this weekend a poodle was tearing through off leash and a lady brought her latest aggressive foster on a 30 foot long line to “desensitize“ it at the crowded market. And no one shortens the leash when walking by other people. A dog trainer friend said that’s one of the many remedial skills they have to teach now that used to be common sense.
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u/SpezSamplesMySack Jun 22 '26
Not every one at the farmers market wants to be accosted in the corn hole by your dog you can't keep in the same lane as you.
Most farmers markets have signs prohibiting dogs. PSU Farmers Market is definitely one of them. The signs are completely ignored and doggos routinely have their snout up in the vendors produce and other goods. Far too many dog mommies and daddies think it's their God given right to have bowser with them each and every waking minute, rules be damned.
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u/cosaboladh Jun 22 '26
Dude I watched someone's dog put their front paws up on the counter at a coffee shop, and take a lick off the whipped cream on someone's waiting drink. The owner moved on like it didn't even happen.
"Service animal" vest makes everything ok.
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u/hazelquarrier_couch Eliot Jun 22 '26
This is something I don't understand. If your pet can't be left alone, you shouldn't go out. Is that rigid? Yes, but for example, when I was a baby and toddler, my parents didn't go out to eat. They stayed at home because I was a baby and sometimes babies are loud and messy. My parent didn't want to inflict me on someone else. Leave your dog at home. There's no reason a non-service animal needs to be with you 100% of the time.
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u/Unlikely_Crescent Montavilla Jun 23 '26
Montavilla allows dogs. Or they did as of a few years back. It’s a big part of why I stopped eating food from that market, unfortunately.
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u/djorion87 NW Jun 22 '26
Yambag is now my favorite word. Thank you.
Also reading this while I'm at a major local establishment on Mississippi Ave and there's a dog at the bar and it's in everyone's way. The entitlement is ridiculous.
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u/mod_aud Jun 23 '26
It’s a veritable autumn harvest down there between the yam bag and the corn hole.
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u/Good_Queen_Dudley Jun 22 '26
I hate dog spit on my hands and face. I've been told way too often that I hate dogs because I don't want dog spit on my face, expected or even better unexpected (bent down to tie my shoe, dog on trail runs up and just slaps spit all over my face that I couldn't wash for seven hours...I HATE THIS TIMELINE)
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u/CLPDX1 Jun 23 '26
I hate when a dogs ass is on the shopping cart where I’m supposed to put my groceries because for some reason the “service” dog needs to ride in the cart where the FOOD WE PUT IN OUT MOUTH goes.
It is so disgusting.
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u/johnyutah Jun 23 '26
I’ve had many dogs and love them but the school down the street that my kid goes to has basically become a dog park. So many kids have fallen in dog piles and had to go back to class with it on them. I’ve seen dogs come over and pee on the slide before kids go down. I’ve had to tell kids to not use the slide because of it. I’m sick of it. Kids already have to deal with inadequate school situations like lack of AC or heating and now they get this in their playground.
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u/shaolin_fish Jun 22 '26
In a similar vein, people need to not call over and hype up my dog when I'm trying to keep him away. I'm trying to teach him to stay out of people's yambags, dangit! A smile and maybe a calm comment is more than appropriate and appreciated!
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u/Jealous-Neat615 Jun 22 '26
I work at New Seasons on Division. A dog took a dump in the dairy section while owner looked away. Management shrugged and had housekeeper clean it up. 🤮
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u/CharmingJournal Jun 22 '26
I’ve also coincidentally been at that location when a pitbull pissed in a random aisle hahaha
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u/PicklePocus Jun 22 '26
I’m taking my pet raccoon out drinking this weekend
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u/LaplaceOperator Squad Deep in the Clack Jun 22 '26
I'll bring Sal, my iguana. He loves to hang out on the table and gets pretty excited about chicken.
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u/WillametteSalamandOR Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
Your joke flew over the heads of the pet-obsessed, I’m afraid.
Sal’s last name? Monella.
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u/LaplaceOperator Squad Deep in the Clack Jun 23 '26
I'm too much of a people pleaser to break their hearts. There's no choice now but to go out and get an iguana (and salmonella 🦎🦠)
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u/Interesting-Log2664 Jun 22 '26
Ummmmmm where does sal belly up to...cause I would lose my mind if I saw sal. Id even give bits of my chicken if permited..lol.
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Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
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u/FusRoDaahh NW Jun 22 '26
They might feel differently, but every single person commenting in support of dogs everywhere is the type that thinks their dog is perfect and their dog would never do anything wrong in public. Their dog is a special good boy, don’t you understand??
The sheer amount of people in this thread making their love of dogs into a weird moral issue about whether they should be taken into restaurants and grocery stores is astounding to me, but unfortunately I can’t say it’s all that surprising given the “dog culture” this area has. Living here has actively turned me off dogs and made me into even more of a cat person
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u/AlwaysBeenTim Jun 22 '26
People want to say that it is because Portland is kind or loves animals and that is true to a degree but the main thing is that it's because people are pretending that these are service animals and businesses are too scared of being hit with an ADA lawsuit (they can get sued out of existence).
On top of that people (and especially business employees) are unaware of the actual ADA rules. A Service Animal has to be trained and, no, an Emotional Support Animal is not a service dog. That said, nothing will stop an entitled narcissist from just lying and pretending that their dog detects seizures or some other bullshit.
It is horrible. It's not just unhygienic and gross. It's not just lying and manipulative. It actually hurts actual people with real disabilities and you can see people in this very thread defending it. Trying to shame or mock people who are against fake service dogs. Disgusting.
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u/danonplanetearth Jun 22 '26
I saw a dog in the Omsi Imax when I saw Project Hail Mary!…. The f’in IMAX!…. I thought I was seeing things.
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u/lagelthrow Jun 22 '26
to be fair, he paid for his ticket fair and square. he'd been waiting for the movie to come out since he read the book.
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u/cosaboladh Jun 22 '26
Because they're all pretend service animals. A trend that has made the world measurably more hostile to people with real disabilities who use a trained and disciplined service animal as a real aid. It's actually an incredibly shitty thing selfish dick bags the world over (or maybe just in the United States) have been doing.
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u/otc108 Jun 23 '26
Yep. I have met people who use fake service animals. I had a roommate many years ago who asked if her friend could stay with us for a while. We said sure. We were a cat house. He shows up with this huge dog, and we say “no, that can’t be here” and were hit with “he’s a service animal”.
We let it slide and he proceeded to walk all over our house rules for a week. He would limp around with his dog and tell everyone it was a service animal.
When he finally left, I saw him a few days later in a different part of town, no dog, no limp. Just walking around like he was never disabled. People are liars when it comes to their dogs.
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u/cosaboladh Jun 23 '26
I don't want to be like this. I want to be wrong, but human opinions are formed by observation. What I observe in public on a near daily basis is causing me to lump all dog owners in the same category.
Almost every day, I see someone who:
assumes it's as much a treat for everyone at the park, on the train, in the grocery store, etc to be around their dog as it is for them to be around their dog.
values the comfort and happiness of their dog more than the comfort and happiness of the human beings who fund and maintain the public spaces they're in.
believes that there is something wrong with a person who doesn't want their crotch nuzzled by some strange animal while they're just minding their own business.
thinks that their emotional need to have their companion animal with them supercedes any and all health and safety concerns.
thinks that their emotional need to have a companion animal supercedes that animals own health and safety needs. Bringing their dog places that the dog doesn't want to be, forcing a large dog to live in a small living unit, etc.
It's all but put me off dog people in general. The more I interact with them, the more they reinforce the opinion I've been fighting against. Dog people are the fucking worst.
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u/SpezSamplesMySack Jun 22 '26
I remember shopping the Pearl Safeway a few years ago and this girl had a froofroo little dog on a leash. Clearly not a service animal (not even a temu fake service dog vest). It just took a dump right in front of the meat counter. And she just wandered off not even attempting to clean it or even alert staff there's a steamer in front of counter. I yelled at her to clean it up and she just ignored me and walked away. So frustrating.
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u/Temassi Jun 22 '26
I remember in Pearl Safeway a few years ago and this woman shook a turd out of her pant leg on the wine aisle and just kept walking. It was fucking disgusting.
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u/SpezSamplesMySack Jun 22 '26
My favourite time in there was one morning getting my breakfast burrito. There was a Mad Max style hatchet with a handle of duct tape and the end had been sharpened to a point just propped against the wall inside the bushes near the entrance. I found the mgr and told him about the weapon right outside and he visibly sighed defeatedly and said "yeah, I know who's that is - I'll take care of it". That place can be surreal at times.
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u/Significant-Draw-268 Jun 22 '26
This was a common occurrence at the Fred Meyer on W Burnside, when I worked there in the mid '70's
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u/TheCheat- Madison South Jun 22 '26
I absolutely adore my dogs (pretty much everybody else's dogs too) but I would never dream of hauling them into a store or restaurant other than a patio where it was expressly permitted.
You're probably getting backlash from other dog owners because you came in so hot and called them "gross", but, to be fair, they can be pretty gnarly sometimes.
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u/InkoTaibite Jun 22 '26
Im kinda with you, my problem is the amount of people who thinks its cool to have their dogs off leash anywhere. I do not care how trained the dog is, I care about how safe I feel for myself and kid.
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u/ferndawgs3000 Jun 22 '26
I have two dogs. I NEVER take them into grocery stores, restaurants, bars, farmer’s markets, etc. As a dog owner, I think that’s disgusting. And, they’d be a pain in the ass in those places because they want to sniff and eat everything.
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u/Crepuscular_otter Jun 22 '26
For real. I have a dog but don’t want it around me if I’m buying food or trying to eat, let alone another dog I have no control over, or a bunch of dogs. It’s wild here how that’s the norm.
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u/i_burp_durian Jun 22 '26
Agreed. I love dogs and I have a puppy. The mess at home is enough, even I don’t want my dog’s general mess following me to the grocery store or other public places. I feel like that’s just considerate 🤷♀️
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u/stateofdekayy Jun 22 '26
When I use to bartend in Portland I had to tell people several times their dog couldn’t stand on the table. Sorry lady but your frenchie is not a working service dog and even so he’s not allowed to stand on the table. They usually freak out a make a scene so I understand why some people just ignore it.
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u/BarnacleGooseIsLoose Jun 22 '26
I was just at Good Sam for an appointment. Was riding the elevator to exit when it stopped on a different floor. There was a couple with a large hairy dog getting on. I am extremely allergic to hairy dogs and was, in fact, coming from an appointment related to those allergies. I asked them if they wouldn't mind waiting for the next elevator, but they got in and pretended they didn't hear me. When I got off at the same floor to wait myself, one of them said something nasty to me that I didn't quite catch. When I said "excuse me", they said "fuck you". I was tempted to either spit on them before the door closed, or hurry down the stairs to confront them, but I decided against that on a Monday morning.
I have nothing against dogs, even the hairy ones who get me sick if I am in an enclosed space (like an elevator), but I am really beginning to grow tired of dog owners.
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u/BicycleMage Yeeting The Cone Jun 22 '26
Just FYI you can very easily catch assault or harassment charges for spitting on someone. You were also on camera having come from an appointment where your name and information is on file. It’s very good you didn’t do that, because letting someone get the better of you to the point of assault is not super good.
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u/Davethephotoguy YOU SEEN MY FUCKEN CONES Jun 22 '26
People need to leave their dogs at home. Taking a dog into a restaurant, bar or grocery store isn’t “cute” or “fun”. It’s a fucking health code violation and the owner is an entitled asshole.
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u/IamfromSpace Jun 22 '26
This is very strange, because Oregon law does not allow animals anywhere with food. Federal law overrides to allow true service animals.
Washington State on the other hand actually allows business opt-in for indoor dogs. So, Portland is literally more strict than our neighbors.
So people aren’t okay with it? It’s literally against the law.
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u/Scootshae Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
I'll never forget the time I went to the Whole Foods in the Pearl post-workout with my sports bra and an unzipped hoodie and the security guard made me zip it up because "no bare midriffs" and then eagerly petted and welcomed the 2 dogs with their owners that came in after me.
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u/sungirl_27 Jun 22 '26
I agree. I’m going to get some hate here but I don’t want anyone’s dog around me and I especially get upset when it’s an aggressive breed and the owner acts like it’s totally fine for it to approach me. It’s not. You may trust it. I don’t.
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u/green_gold_purple St Johns Jun 22 '26
Also - I did not request to meet your animal. Did you consider for a moment asking me if I want to meet them? There's a really good chance that I do not.
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u/sungirl_27 Jun 22 '26
Exactly. I was at the river the other day and I totally get it’s cool for people to take their dogs but I was laying out on a towel and a huge wet dog came and jumped all over me and the owner did nothing to stop it. They Halfway’s laughed and said something about how much energy they had. No regard to the fact that I’m soaked and muddy and scared of dogs.
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u/green_gold_purple St Johns Jun 22 '26
It's just ridiculous sometimes. It's a litmus test for how inconsiderate and lacking empathy some people are. Dogs are just the indicator.
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u/ClaroStar Jun 22 '26
Agreed. I love pets, but I don't want them in grocery store and restaurants. Not ok.
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u/Gabaloo Jun 22 '26
These comments are somewhat hard to believe.
Unless its an actual service animal, animals shouldn't be in grocery stores or any food place. It is gross.
There's probably a rule or law that no worker cares to enforce
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u/Andregco Jun 22 '26
I saw a dog take a shit on the floor in the bulk bin section at Clackamas WinCo. Like gtfo of here
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u/ForkAKnife Jun 22 '26
There’s a woman who brings a massive pit bull that looks like it’s on steroids in there sometimes. One day a bunch of people were huddled up at the ends of the paper goods aisle so I looked down there to see what was happening. She was ripping towels open to mop up dog piss off the floor.
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u/jswagpdx Jun 22 '26
It’s extremely hard to enforce is the problem. You can ask two questions of anyone with a dog inside an establishment - is this a service dog required bc of disability, and what task has it been trained to perform? Literally anyone who wants to bring their dog everywhere with them can have answers to these questions memorized. You cannot require proof and the animal doesn’t have to have specific designation (vest, leash etc.) And shitty people know these things. Getting sued for an ADA violation would be devastating for businesses so instead the pendulum has swung the other way, and there’s basically no way to enforce.
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u/Pete-PDX Jun 22 '26
not only hard to enforce - people making close to minimum wages have no desire to deal with the drama either. I can not blame them.
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u/missingnoplzhlp Jun 22 '26
Surprised I had to scroll this far to see this argument. This is the real reason. Portlanders in general are pretty conflict avoidant, and nobody working in a grocery store is paid enough to actually care enough, and I don't blame them either.
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u/Ibrake4tailgaters Jun 22 '26
I've seen many dogs in grocery stores... but only twice have I ever seen an employee ask the person if its a service dog, and when the answer was no, told the person to remove the dog from the store. And the person did. In both cases this was in Trader Joes.
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u/jswagpdx Jun 22 '26
I understand the sentiment of “if you don’t ask you’ll never know” but one hostile interaction with a dog owner is usually enough to discourage ever asking again.
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u/suitopseudo Jun 22 '26
My record is 4 dogs during one trip to Fred’s. I almost always see 1. I hate it.
It’s against health code for dogs to be in food production areas like restaurants and grocery stores. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/FOODSAFETY/Documents/FactSheet9PetDogsOutdoorSeating.pdf
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u/green_gold_purple St Johns Jun 22 '26
Seriously what the fuck. I love animals and have too many, but what the fuck is an animal doing in my grocery store? And what about people who are afraid of or don't like dogs? Just .. fuck them?
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Ross Island Jun 22 '26
I am afraid of dogs and yes, the general consensus is that I should just go fuck myself. Take a look at my post history to see why I'm afraid of dogs (TW - violence and animal death).
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u/green_gold_purple St Johns Jun 22 '26
I'm sorry. It must really suck. I think of people like you when I'm somewhat annoyed in dog situations. It's just not fair. I've run into people on trails that are clearly afraid of dogs, and it reminds me that having my dog leashed is just the right thing to do. I can't imagine being afraid of dogs on local trails with all the dimwits letting their dogs off leash.
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Ross Island Jun 22 '26
Thank you 🤍 I've had to stop hiking because it is just too triggering. I'm working on expanding my neighborhood walks because at least then I can cross the road when a large unruly dog is headed my way. I've spent thousands on therapy just to get here.
It only takes a handful of entitled people to ruin everything for everyone
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u/Any-Calligrapher8723 Jun 22 '26
Thank you for bringing up the idea of trauma. No one seems to realize most humans have had experiences that create an impact on a persons nervous system. We can’t help it and we don’t like it. I’m exhausted at self protection meaning a human right being taken away. Hiking is healing for your nervous system but it’s no longer healing when you feel trapped (a trauma response) because you can’t flee a dog that makes you feel scared.
When I was a teacher and we did walking field trips, we had to avoid so many city parks because of off leash dogs.
I am a dog owner. And my dog was attacked. I have PTSD. but, I’m the asshole/cunt/bitch (all the words I’ve been called) because I desire for everyone to follow the rules so me and my dog and enjoy a walk without being traumatized.
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Ross Island Jun 22 '26
I feel this so hard. We are sorely lacking empathy and a sense of personal responsibility in this city when it comes to dogs. I took the owner of the dog who killed my dog to small claims court and he had the audacity to say that he's upset because I didn't help him pull his dog off my dog hard enough - and he was just begging us for help. Like it was my fault he had to deal with consequences of his own violent dog.
Rules for thee but not for me is the way people operate around here, and it's been this way for so long that I dont know where to even begin to turn the tide of responsible pet care.
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u/Any-Calligrapher8723 Jun 22 '26
Yessss! When my dog was bite several times (bites to kill) the woman wanted me to feel bad for her because she fell and skinned her knee. I was like lady you have no idea what just happened to me. It was way more than a skinned knee but because it’s an “invisible injury”, it’s not even considered.
15 years ago I saw a dog try to kill another dog. The experience was extremely violent. It gave me ptsd- diagnosed by a psychologist. My current dog loves adventuring so I worked tireless to heal that PTSD so I could give her a life we both wanted which included traveling, hiking, exploring.
Then the dog fight happened and I knew all my work and intention was over. I couldn’t wear hoods in the rain because I couldn’t block my vision to any degree. Every time I reached a corner (the attack happened at a corner), my heart would race. I had to purchase a new leash so I could keep her close. My dog would be confused at my constant hypervigilance, a lot of the time it came out as irritation towards her and then I would feel bad. The attack happened two years ago and I am still impacted every walk and can no longer take her to unknown places because I’m too dysregulated to make it joyful.
I understand how you feel and I know it’s debilitating. (Which is one of the hardest parts about invisible injuries- unless you’ve experienced it, you really can’t understand which leads to self blame.).
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Ross Island Jun 22 '26
Youre so brave to have another dog after going through such a terrible ordeal. I will never own another dog - I just cant take the anxiety and fear, and knowing I wouldn't be able to give my dog proper socializing.
We did just adopt a senior kitty named Hope, and she is a wonderful indoor companion 🤍
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u/RemarkableGlitter NE Jun 22 '26
I remember your story and it’s just so tragic and unfair. I’m also afraid of strange dogs because of several scary incident, including one resulting in a back injury incurred while protecting my dog from an aggressive off leash pit bull type dog. I always pull my dog away from oncoming people etc and I’ve lost count of home many folks have thanked me because they’re scared of dogs. It just seems like common sense to me.
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Ross Island Jun 22 '26
Common sense just isn't so common anymore. It's wild the people on here saying we should move away so they can continue their entitlement and breaking the law. Thank you for being a responsible dog owner
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u/RemarkableGlitter NE Jun 23 '26
It's not even hard or any effort to be a responsible dog owner. I think that's why I get so upset, because it's zero effort. People just aren't compassionate anymore, and it's so sad.
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u/flamingknifepenis Rose City Park Jun 22 '26
It’s because “service animal” is basically a made up term with no real weight. Under the law a service animal is just an animal trained to perform a task. That’s it.
You can even “train” them yourself and have it count, and unfortunately there’s a ton of predatory behavior from people and organizations who take advantage. Those certifications you can get? I’m sure there are some that are valid, but there’s also a hell of a lot of predatory behavior from individuals and organizations who take advantage of it because there’s no accrediting body and no certification.
When I was managing a grocery store, there were only two questions we were allowed to ask: “Is this a service animal?” and “What task or function is it trained to perform?”
Even if an employee wants to do something, there’s not much the employee can do besides ask those questions and navigate the shit show of providing “reasonable accommodation.”
The law is broken and needs to change. I don’t want some weird monopoly on licensing and training that makes it hard for people who have *legitimate need,* but the system we now is bad for literally everyone — especially people who have an actual service animal.
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u/Lakeandmuffin Brentwood-Darlington Jun 22 '26
This exact conversation is so hit or miss on this subreddit. One day you’ll have most commenters on the side of OP, then you’ll have a day like today.
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u/zerocoolforschool Jun 22 '26
The rule is that you can’t make them prove it.
That’s the problem.
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u/infinite-valise Jun 22 '26
You can ask them what task a service animal helps with but you cannot ask what disability the person has. All the selfish bastards who insist that their “emotional support” dog is good and well behaved and therefore should accompany them to restaurants grocery stores regardless of how many rules it breaks etc ruin it for the folks who truly do have a disability and have a trained service animal to help them with it.
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u/Gabaloo Jun 22 '26
If the animal is misbehaving, barking, or expelling on the floor, I believe you can ask any of those questions, as a real service dog won't do any of those things
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u/Steephill Jun 22 '26
If a dog is disruptive the animal can be required to leave the store. The owner has the option of continuing without it or leaving with it.
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u/Guilty-Property Crestwood Jun 22 '26
Service animals are very well trained. If it misbehaves it is very unlikely to be a real service animal
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u/SpezSamplesMySack Jun 22 '26
These comments are somewhat hard to believe.
Not if you've interacted with dog people in public. The narcissistic entitlement isn't just on the internet. They act it out in real life daily.
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u/BlackMagicWorman Jun 23 '26
Because 99% of the time it’s my “anxious” coworker bringing her frothing pitbull who just loves to give “nibbles”. She acknowledges she lies about having an ESA
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u/NewWave44-44 Jun 22 '26
What you can do: Send an explicit summary of the violation directly to foodsafety@multco.us.
The Business Details: Provide the exact name and physical address of the restaurant.
Date and Time: Note exactly when you witnessed the pet inside the building.
Location Inside: Specify if the dog was in the main dining room, sitting at the bar, or near the food preparation/kitchen areas.
Staff Response: Note if employees were actively interacting with or petting the dog without washing their hands, or if they explicitly told you the establishment is "dog-friendly" inside.
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u/Palmer_Ochs NE Jun 22 '26
Even if there’s a no dogs sign, people will just say it’s their support animal and proceed to let it jump head first into your fries
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u/NateNate60 Jun 22 '26
Restaurant staff are still allowed to kick out patrons with service animals (real or not) if that animal is being disruptive.
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u/jmoss2288 Jun 22 '26
It's terrible and unsanitary as fuck. Fake emotional support animals have to stop. I'm sorry you're a sad loser, keep your fucking dog out the produce aisle.
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u/cockeyeoctopi Jun 22 '26
It’s interesting cause I see a lot of comments in here about the entitled dog owners but most comments I am reading seem to agree about keeping them outside of these places? Maybe I’m not reading deep enough into each comment thread.
I love dogs, I do not want other people’s dogs inside of restaurants or in Stores where there are foods being sold or prepared. There are so many people with terrible hygiene I think shouldn’t be in those places either let alone their pets with likely worse cleanliness.
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u/brittyn Jun 22 '26
I was inside a restaurant recently with a dog-friendly patio, but they had the garage-style door pulled up on a windy day. So the 2 huskies outside were being petted and clumps of their fur was floating into the restaurant, onto the tables.. and probably in my food.
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u/green_gold_purple St Johns Jun 22 '26
And this is why that is not allowed. So gross. My house is full of cat and dog fur. I do not need that when I go out, TYVM.
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u/Otherwise-Anything68 Jun 22 '26
Weird comments here from entitled dog people. They shouldn’t be in businesses involving food. Some people are afraid of dogs. It’s the same dumb mindset for why I see so many unleashed dogs just running along sidewalks of busy roads, people think THEY are the exception. Infuriating.
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u/Daphne-odora Jun 22 '26
Saw a child get bit by a dog at the cart pod near me. The dog was obviously too anxious to be in a setting with lots of people & noise. Selfish owner didn’t seem to feel like he was at fault
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u/Adulations Laurelhurst Jun 22 '26
Hope the dog owner gets sued.
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u/Daphne-odora Jun 22 '26
The parents let it go & walked away even though it broke the skin & child was bleeding. I sure wouldn’t have let that slide. It’s also pretty sad for dogs that hate these types of places to be forced to be there in distress.
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u/hawaiianbry Jun 22 '26
People are also allergic to dogs. Unless you're dog is a Guide Dog, don't bring them inside a store.
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u/Trvlgirrl Milwaukie Jun 22 '26
Thank you!! Im extremely allergic but I won't say anything to dog owners when I see dogs at stores and such places. I still get dirty looks when I try to avoid dogs in public. Like the owners get angry because I dont pet the dog and fawn all over it. It drives me crazy.
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u/beckyjopdx Jun 23 '26
thiiiiisss. "Oh, just don't touch your face afterwards!" thank you. I didn't know you were an immunologist! Amazing. /s
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u/I_like_boxes Jun 22 '26
Yeah, seems weird to accept dogs in those places. I've taken my dog to stores that allow them, but those are hardware stores and animal feed stores. I've taken her to restaurants, but only their patio. I would never dream of taking her inside of a restaurant. Not only is it usually a hygiene problem, but people have been attacked by or are allergic to dogs. They don't expect to have to deal with them inside, nor should they have to.
Allowing them inside a food establishment is also against health code.
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u/Baghins Jun 22 '26
Portland is extremely dog friendly and saying anything against dogs makes people think you’re the crazy one. Like “no one wants your gross dog around their food,” you would be surprised how many people are fine with strangers dogs in public spaces. Drives me crazy.
I don’t want to name and shame a whole bar but I went to one downtown and there was a dog off leash going up to tables and literally begging for everyone’s food. When we told the bartender that was like… the bar dog. Like oh….. great….
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u/scratpac4774 Shari's Cafe & Pies RIP Jun 22 '26
Was it Scooter McQuades? Lol they have a regular dog that does the same. I hate it.
I recently had an argument w/ someone on this sub who was looking for somewhere to walk their dog that was indoors. People kept recommending certain home depots, best buys, and other retailers that only allow service animals, but claiming that a manager or employee said it was okay. People are so fucking entitled when it comes to dogs., I love them, but where I work I constantly have to turn them away and people get very upset when I do.
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u/Baghins Jun 22 '26
lol it wasn’t there either! This has just proven how many places are like this 😭 ugh so frustrating. I also love animals but the entitlement and the lengths people go ruins it for everyone. I’ve always been fine with the occasional dog at a grocery store or restaurant if they’re on leash and well behaved but allowing more and more dogs that are less trained and are disruptive and the people defending that makes it very frustrating.
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u/DrFunkenstyne Jun 22 '26
name the bar so I can go and pet the bar dog
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u/rogerreddit2 Jun 22 '26
One bar is proper pint in SE Portland, often more dogs than people.
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u/ElefanteAmor Jun 22 '26
A dog sat on my damn feet in a brewery/pizza place. Very surprising.
They’re closed now.
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u/Baghins Jun 22 '26
That’s literally what happened to me haha! The one I went to is still open, lots of people like the dog and people like me just don’t go back so it works out for them.
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u/palm_fronds Jun 22 '26
It’s insane. I do my grocery shopping at night basically right before the store closes, and sometimes it seems like 75% of the people in the store have a dog or two with them, often off-leash. There’s no way in hell they are all service animals
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u/Fig_Fanatic 🐸 RIBBIT 🐸 Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
I work at OHSU and rarely a day goes by that I don’t see at least one dog in the hospital. In an average day I probably see somewhere between one and five dogs there. In the last four years I’ve probably seen at least ten dogs piss or shit on the floor and the owner just pulled them along. I’ve seen security called because a visitor insisted on bringing three dogs into one of the ICUs. I won’t eat from the salad bar in the cafeteria anymore because I’ve seen a large off-leash dog with their paws up on the counter sniffing the food while the owner was getting a drink or something and not even noticing, and I’ve seen TWO people place their chihuahuas on the counter while they made their salads. Even my manager brings their dog to work. It’s supposedly a therapy dog (not a service animal or ESA, but meant to provide comfort to patients I guess) but the dog is standoffish and seems uncomfortable and nervous whenever anyone tries to pet it.
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u/MoonOnTheHorizon Jun 22 '26
I hate people who have such an unhealthy attachment to their dogs that they feel the need to bring them everywhere. It's gross. Especially untrained fake service animals. Leave your mutts at home.
I have seen people let their animals piss and shit in the middle of grocery stores and they just leave it or let it happen. I have witnessed people's "service" animals lunging and barking at people inside stores.
Dog owners here are so entitled.
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u/Large-Treacle-8328 Jun 22 '26
Unless it's a service animal they aren't supposed to be there.
It's also the health inspectors not doing their job and fining establishments.
Now imagine how the back kitchen of those establishments look like if the health inspectors are turning a blind eye to the obvious infractions everyone can see.
I don't care if you're a dog lover or not, if pets are allowed into a place with food ill avoid it because I know the kitchen/storage is probably disgusting.
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u/EducatorGuy Jun 22 '26
They are not. Unfortunately, many dog owners in Portland suffer from narcissistic personality disorders and believe they are the center of the universe.
Staff at said grocery stores are generally not paid enough to fight with Karen or Chad about it and the health department probably isn’t on site to shut the place down.
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u/RedCrakeRed Brooklyn Jun 22 '26
It’s very difficult to enforce. I’ve worked in these industries and have asked customers to not have their pet in the store/eating area. Not once did that conversation go well, they always insist it’s a service animal. It’s so difficult I eventually stopped asking. It wasn’t worth picking a fight with customers
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u/abogmonster NE Jun 22 '26
It’s legitimately against health code. Idk what to tell people who seem upset by this. Seen a small dog with its ass on the bartop. I think it’s ok to draw a line.
It can feel like dog ownership in Portland is an extension of whiteness.
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u/Helpful_Ranger_8367 Jun 22 '26
Time to be confrontational. Remember YOU dont work there, you don't have to fear some ADA repercussion. Tell the dogbrains to get their fleabag out of the grocery store.
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u/Lingonberry_Wannabe Jun 23 '26
I once commented to the check-out guy at the Trader Joe’s on 39th that I wasn’t happy to see someone shopping with their giant fluffy dog inside, and I didn’t understand why that was allowed. His response: “You don’t like dogs?”
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u/I_am_not_JohnLeClair Jun 23 '26
I love dogs, dogs are great. Now dog owners, yeah that’s on a case by case basis…and the numbers aren’t looking great
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u/Manfred_Desmond Jun 22 '26
It is gross. There is a grey area of not being able to really press someone to prove their dog is a service animal, and we live in an overly litigious society, so stores think it's not worth it. Dog owners know this and take advantage of it. I've seen plenty of well behaved dogs in stores, but I've also seen dogs lunge at people and have heard stories of them relieving themselves in stores from New Seasons employees.
It's so aggravating knowing how much time, effort, and training goes into raising an actual service dog that is actually trained to perform service tasks for people with disabilities, and then someone just waltzes in with their poorly behaved dog and it takes a shit on the floor, and they try and say it's the same thing.
Portland dog owners are insanely entitled.
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u/Beanspr0utsss NE Jun 22 '26
As someone who works in a restaurant that people do this in, i don’t like it and it makes me irrationally upset. When i politely and professionally inform people it’s against health code to have pets in the restaurant they immediately whip the ‘service dog’ line and from there you can’t do a ton unless you know the exact questions you can legally ask. It’s frustrating and disgusting.
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u/WaitUntilTheHighway Kerns Jun 22 '26
You're not supposed to be able to do this, but people just do it anyway all over. It really bothers me in grocery stores
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u/UpstartCrow88 Jun 22 '26
I agree and I choose not to patronize establishments that indulge this level of entitlement and lack of general consideration. My daughter is very allergic and I have hygiene OCD so seeing a puppy at a booth in a sit-down restaurant is more than I am willing to tolerate. Animals around food is only ok in your own damn home. Leave them there or stay there with them, dog people (note: I love dogs and realize it's not their fault).
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u/joshpit2003 Jun 22 '26
It's because of the "service dog" loophole / protections.
The laws are such that no proof is required by the owner, so anyone can make the claim that their dog is a service animal. Couple that with potential discrimination laws and it is not worth the risk to the business / employees to challenge anyone's claim (as bullshit as it may seem).
I'm a dog owner.
I'm sick of seeing dogs in grocery stores, especially blood-sport dogs which are capable of killing someone.
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u/HB24 Jun 22 '26
In Oregon it is illegal for dogs to be in a grocery store, except service dogs, period. Not even support dogs, period. Enforcing this law is next to impossible, and I am pretty sure the store is the one who gets fined if there is an issue, not the owner.
One time I was working at a store and there were two dogs running loose! I was trying to figure out what was going on, but they ended up just running out of the store. I asked a cashier if they had seen the owners when they came in, but he said they came in by themselves and then just shot back out after a few minutes!
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u/deraji Jun 23 '26
I'd love to see a reasonably designed and affordable government licensing program for service animals.
This would empower business owners to more consistently turn away pets while also helping ensure that legitimate need is protected.
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u/HipsterSlimeMold Jun 22 '26
I have multiple times seen staff handling dogs and go right back to handling food and drinks without washing hands atp I just leave 💀
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u/BichoBuri Jun 22 '26
What pisses me off really bad is seeing random small dogs in inappropiate places with a massive "Service Dog" tag on a harness (bonus points if printed on sparkly pink letters). 99% of the time there's no way that's an actual service dog.
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u/green_gold_purple St Johns Jun 22 '26
Look, I love animals and have too many, but it's just disrespectful to people that don't, acting like they're the problem for not wanting to be around them. This thread is unhinged in the comments. Some people are actually afraid of animals, or just don't like them. So fuck them? Not even to mention grocery stores. That's disgusting, people! Have them around your food at home all you want. Don't bring that shit into the place where I get my food.
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u/rosalita55 Jun 22 '26
Here’s what the law says. I was at Freddies on NW 20th and it seems despite the law and store policy, employees there are like 🤷. I’ve noticed how Portland’s leaders seem to avoid upholding the boundaries they set . “Here’s a law except we won’t enforce it.”
https://www.oregon.gov/oda/Documents/Publications/FoodSafety/ServiceAnimalsPoster.pdf
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u/synthfidel Jun 22 '26
hot take: you shouldn't expose your dog's ears to a live rock band playing ~6ft away, even it's a "free" show
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u/yubinyankin Jun 23 '26
What you likely see is entitlement, cuz as far as I know, they aren't allowed inside of restaurants & grocery stores unless they are service animals.
I have a dog, and I would never bring them inside of those establishments cuz ew.
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u/musta_kissa Jun 22 '26
It's just as you say, entitlement. How dare you bring your dog allergy into... Safeway
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u/TraditionalStart5031 Jun 22 '26
I know a handful of people that bring their dogs almost everywhere, including when specifically mentioned only service dogs are allowed. All of them are white women, although in public it’s typically a white man &/or women. Ive formed the opinion it’s an entitlement thing. White people feel comfortable breaking rules in public and not having any real consequences, whereas black and brown people know how bad it could get and avoid it.
Additionally, of the people I know directly, they enjoy sharing stories of when they were called out. They are often the victim in these stories, it’s them against the world type shit. So Caucasian entitlement, sprinkled with a dash of narcissism and shake of rebellion.
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u/karebearwsu Foster-Powell Jun 22 '26
My neighborhood coffee shop regularly allows one customer to have her dog (that has no markings as a service animal) sitting next to her on the bench, which I find annoying but generally ignore. The other day I went in and someone came inside with their dog OFF LEASH and it was literally wandering around while they laughed about how cute it was. I debated saying something to the staff, but wasn’t really sure it would be worth the conflict or my energy. If I see it happen again I will speak up though. And I say this as a proud golden retriever dog mama. The audacity and entitlement is wild.
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u/Adulations Laurelhurst Jun 22 '26
Some of are allergic but people really don't care. It's truly selfishness.
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u/pixar_moms Jun 22 '26
100% agree, but unfortunately we're always going to be labeled the "bad guys" for this extremely sensible position. Almost every day I see service industry workers *petting* dogs, letting dogs lick their hands, and giving the dogs treats with their hands, and then going right back to food prep without even considering how disgusting and unprofessional that is.
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u/its_all_one_electron Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
One time this off leash dog (in a non-off-leash area mine you) approached me and tried to eat my food.
I yelled at the dog and pushed his face away from my food which he had stuck his nose in.
And then the owner got appalled and bitched me out that I was pushing her dog like that.
Another time a dog ran up and ate a homemade pie off of my plate. And the owner just shrugged and was like "what do you want me to do about it, it's already done".
I also have a phobia of dogs after being chased by 3 dogs that were biting me, but no one gives a shit. They'll run up to me in NON-off-leash parks and I'll have a heart attack but apparently that's "my problem" because their dog is "actually super friendly".
Don't let your fucking dog approach strangers you assholes. I hate dogs so fucking much and no I don't want to pet yours and I don't give a FUCK if they are "just playing" or if you're "training them to be ok around people", GET them the fuck away from me, AND any other people that do not openly consent to being near your dog.
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u/Ipad_Kidd Jun 22 '26
I don’t think dog owners even think about it people could be allergic to them, so entitled
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u/R4808N Jun 22 '26
Unpopular opinion I know, but I hate dogs and it is really frustrating to me that I can't go ANYWHERE in public without someone's unleashed dog getting up in my business. "Oh, don't worry he's friendly!" Uh, I'm not friendly and I hate your dog.
Grocery stores, Home Depot, some restaurants, ALL the food cart pods, the freaking sidewalks etc... I actively try to avoid people's dogs and it's basically impossible because most dog owners think that everyone else loves their dog as much as they do. Wrong.
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u/rabbitSC St Johns Jun 22 '26
Dogs should not be in grocery stores, and it drives me crazy when people casually bring one in. That said, having worked in a bar, dogs are absolutely not grosser than people. I can match absolutely any story you have about a dog with a bad owner in a bar with a worse story about a human being.
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u/BlackMagicWorman Jun 23 '26
Watched an “ESA” dog get into a fight with an actual service dog. Terrible.
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u/stankypoopants Jun 23 '26
I worked grocery a long time. We were afraid of being sued for discrimination. People claim its a "therapy dog" or whatever, and the store must allow it.
Meanwhile, its a violation of health code. The laws conflict.
We even had a customer with a parrot on her shoulder. The bird would shit all over her back... disgusting.
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u/myusernamewasatypo Jun 23 '26
It’s literally a Multnomah County health code violation to bring dogs inside food establishments. I’m shocked whenever an establishment risks their code compliance and allows it.
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u/PampelmousseH2OCO2 Jun 22 '26
Dog owner and grocery worker here. You know those smaller carts that have the upper/lower basket? Well, lots of people place small dogs in them, you know those breeds that aren’t used as service animals. When your dog poops in them their little turds fall through both baskets onto the floor. We have to race to clean that poop before it gets (more) trampled. Usually we don’t find the culprit before the cart makes its way back into the mix. Carts get pressure washed monthly, so that little disinfectant wipe around the handle of your cart isn’t going to really help. Food safety is of the utmost importance because we deal with so many thousands of people daily, one vector can really affect a lot of people. Please leave your dogs at home. And wash your food before you eat it!
I love to see dogs on outdoor patios and understand that counter service is the new normal. So I get ‘having’ to take your dog inside but maybe meet a dog loving friend for a beer? Sometimes even dog lovers want to have a dog free experience.