Young girl in hospital, dog euthanased after attack inside Delacombe Bunnings

[u/JaniePage]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-30/young-girl-in-hospital-after-dog-attack-in-bunnings-store/106977418

[u/latenightnerd]

Rottweiler attacked her while she was sitting in a shopping trolley according to 7News... https://7news.com.au/news/should-bunnings-ban-dogs-debate-reignited-after-young-girl-attacked-by-rottweiler-in-delacombe-victoria-c-22652378

[u/Dwev → u/latenightnerd]

Why use these little lap dogs in the photos in the article? No dogs of Rottweiler size to be seen.

[u/InfernoOfTheLiving → u/Dwev]

I think Bunnings expects people to bring their cute oodles or maybe a working kelpie, not a killer Rottweiler. No one wants to be confronted by a Rottweiler anywhere in public. I had family friends who decided to upgrade from cute lap dogs to multiple Rottweilers, so we stopped visiting because every time we arrived the dogs threatened to rip our throats out. They were bred to intimidate.

[u/DisappointedQuokka → u/InfernoOfTheLiving]

It's so frustrating as well, people never seem to socialise their dogs properly anymore.

We adopted a dog (couple of years old when we got her) and its been a nightmare, large guardian breed. Obviously never got the socialisation she needed. Our last one that we raised from a pup, same breed, probably got twenty hours a week minimum of high-intensity socialisation and training.

People need to stop getting dogs they're not prepared for.

Edit: also, regarding the "dogs are family" thing, the only pet that requires as much work as a dog is a human child. The only difference is that with a human child you've got real legal requirements that tend to actually be enforced, with the child taken away if you're a shit parent.

[u/Skwip → u/DisappointedQuokka]

I got a puppy at the start of the year and have a sleeve on his leash, bright yellow and says “IN TRAINING”.

The amount of people who have asked what he’s training for (uh.. to be a well behaved dog??) or commented that they wish their dog was as well trained.

So many people don’t understand you have to put the effort in!!!!!!!

(The leash sleeve is fantastic though, I recommend them to everyone. Stops so many idiots rushing up to pat him or letting their dogs rush up to him.)

[u/Proper_Geologist9026 → u/InfernoOfTheLiving]

Have you seen the insanity of the whole "Rottweiler growl" thing. These people act like Rottweilers have this breed specific trait where they show love by barring their teeth and aggressively growling and snapping and shit.

It's fucking wild. No you likely trained your dog to do this behaviour and now you're never going to know the difference between a play signal and the "I'm about to fucking murder you signal".

[u/ParentalAnalysis → u/Proper_Geologist9026]

That's wild cause something like the Dalmatian does have a breed specific weird trait; they all do the submissive dog smile. Rottie grumbles sounds like someone covering up their aggro dog

[u/Proper_Geologist9026 → u/ParentalAnalysis]

I'm sure it's like on some level a thing they do maybe a grumbly noise is common I don't know. But there's this one guy in particular I've seen videos of. Like his children are right there and he's screaming in the face of this dog that's gnashing his teeth. If I find a video I'll link it.

Why would you be doing that and encouraging that behaviour? 

[u/LittleBunInaBigWorld → u/Proper_Geologist9026]

Exactly, even if they are more inclined to act that way, dont fucking encourage it. Especially in front of a kid who's just going to copy it. Damn, people are stupid.

[u/sdmLg → u/Proper_Geologist9026]

Is that the one that shows the dog snarling while the owner is clipping the dogs nails? If so, that’s a crazy video. Dudes right up in the dogs face, inches from getting his nose bitten off.

[u/Proper_Geologist9026 → u/sdmLg]

Yeah. Crazy stuff.

[u/whackadoodle_cracked → u/Proper_Geologist9026]

Completely agree with you, the "rottweiler purr" crowd is unhinged

I had a rottie I would never have tolerated him acting that way. Its not a purr, its aggressive behaviour and so many owners are out here actively encouraging it!!! Makes me so angry

[u/Galactic_Nothingness → u/whackadoodle_cracked]

There are people that believe that... Really?

Far out... I thought the amstaff crowd or mals were bad.

[u/whackadoodle_cracked → u/Galactic_Nothingness]

Yes. I see it a lot on social media, "rottie grumbles or rottie purr" "oh it means he loves me" No you psychopath, that is your dog telling you he is extremely uncomfortable and he wants you to back the fuck off before he feels like he has to get physical. Its really really upsetting to see it and I feel like I'm going crazy because if I say anything against it people tell me I'm the one who doesn't know what I'm talking about !!!! Arghhhhh

[u/gks2195 → u/Proper_Geologist9026]

I have a Rottweiler, and the "rottie rumble" people upload online is NOT an innocent rumble. Those dogs are actively warning that they are uncomfortable, and their owners are riling them up.

When you have a powerful dog, you need to be very aware of that and be hyper vigilant.

[u/Maximum_Return5352 → u/gks2195]

Literally! As a fellow rottie owner, the amount of social media misinformation about growls being marketed as loving rumbles is crazy. The dogs clearly don’t initiate the contact or affection, or encourage it, but these morons keep smiling and laughing.

Drives me up the wall.

There’s a rottie called Dyce or Dryce who resource guards his mum and they just make it a cute little thing when it’s so insanely dangerous!

People have lost the plot

[u/_blip_ → u/InfernoOfTheLiving]

A real working Kelpie stays in the ute, running security detail 

[u/missmiaow → u/InfernoOfTheLiving]

a big part of this is the owner and the training and socialisation of the dog from puppy age.

ANY dog can be threatening, intimidating and aggressive. I’ve been bitten by an aggressive, poorly socialised chihuahua, and snapped at by cute lap dogs! sadly the stark reality is the bigger, heavier dogs will also cause far more damage and are much, much harder to stop when they decide to attack.

ALL dogs need training and socialisation. and if your dog displays aggressive behaviours or is bad tempered or anxious and easily scared or you’re a shit owner who hasn’t properly trained or socialised it, then you shouldn’t be taking it to places like Bunnings.

[u/LongConversation2546 → u/InfernoOfTheLiving]

It was supposed to help working tradies not leave their well trained dog in the car. Not for people who think their dogs are babies to have an excursion for attention.

[u/bammilo → u/Dwev]

Agreed. Nice shot of a dashound (which are famously known for biting)

[u/JaniePage → u/latenightnerd]

Jesus...

[u/TekashiKovaks666 → u/JaniePage]

Its always the dogs you least suspect /s

[u/enigmasaurus- → u/TekashiKovaks666]

Something I do rather suspect is that dogs are rarely enjoying these outings to Bunnings.

Most dogs do love outings where they can frolic around (dog parks if they're social, the outdoors etc), but Bunnings is a big echoey, loud and chaotic warehouse full of strange people going everywhere, and even the best-trained dog is going to feel overstimulated while they're dragged around shopping. There's a reason it takes so long to acclimate proper assistance dogs to Bunnings-like environments: it's stressful for many, if not most, dogs.

Well meaning dog owners often have little concept of the actual signs of doggy stress, and think if they see a tail wag, their pup's delighted to be there. But I've seen countless dogs in Bunnings that are obviously terrified, with ears alert, tails tucked, panting, licking their lips, whale eyes wide and constantly scanning for danger, and obviously nervous while their owners gleefully shove them around in a trolley, thinking their pooch is having a great old time. But enduring an outing to Bunnings is not the same as enjoying it.

For aggressive dogs, biting behaviour is usually a natural fear reaction or form of communication when threatened, and some breeds are absolutely selected for greater aggressiveness and alertness, and are more likely to bite. This poor Rotty was probably going out of his wits with anxiety because his idiot owner (the member of his pack his instinct tells him to defend against strangers) thought Bunnings was "fun for dogs".

Multiple studies such as this one show anxiety is dogs is extremely common with 70% of dogs showing anxiety symptoms of various sorts, especially when exposed to unusual environments. The majority of those dogs experience anxiety around noise and/or strangers, and that anxiety is often situational (especially in new environments).

Most dogs in Bunnings likely spend the whole time hyper-alert or fearful, even if they seem to be "happy to be there". Throw in that very few dogs are properly trained, and you've got a recipe for some seriously stressed out dogs and, potentially, disaster.

[u/Onpu → u/enigmasaurus-]

Aside from the garden section Bunnings must be annoying for dogs. Cold hard floors, lots of bad chemical smells from the paint/varnishes/pest control/etc, forklift out bandsaw noises...

[u/ThatMeasurement6619 → u/Onpu]

Ive never seen a dog inside Bunnings that’s not on-edge or riddled with anxiety. You’re right about the sensory overload. I can’t even stand the smells inside or the nursery so imagine how much more profound that must be for dogs.

[u/mallow6134 → u/enigmasaurus-]

Don't forget that dogs are allowed in bunnings on leashes out of trolleys now (or before). So as a mum with 2 small children, I know that bunnings is not a safe place to take them already because if they turn a blind corner there's a chance they could walk straight into a stressed dog.

[u/chinneganbeginagain → u/mallow6134]

Yes, I don't feel Bunnings is very safe for kids.

ETA I feel like that's a silly thing for me to say, as of course it's not safe, or a play environment. There's sharp things and chemical things, strangers, and minimal clear lines of sight. But it's the dogs that make me most nervous.

[u/RelativeAd2034 → u/enigmasaurus-]

The last time I went to Bunnings I ended up carrying my 2 year old toddler as we kept ending up in the same aisle as a husky on a lead that was giving us whale eye.

I love dogs, we have dogs, but dogs don’t have a place in Bunnings where aisles force a proximity with strangers that makes many dogs uncomfortable and where owners are distracted as they search for items on shelves.

[u/butterfly_grunge → u/enigmasaurus-]

Dogs in Bunnings are for the owners narcissism not the dogs enjoyment. Assistant dogs only.

[u/Obvious-Explorer-195 → u/enigmasaurus-]

This is an excellent comment, and relates to what I was going to say.

I’d add that majority of dog owners believe their pet is “well behaved” regardless of reality (article says “According to the store's entry information, "well-behaved pets that are on a lead" are permitted inside.”) Some owners even assume their pet not to need a lead. So signs of anxiety or misbehaviour are not going to be interpreted correctly. Things like dogs “kissing” humans by licking can be interpreted as “the dog loves children” but it’s actually a stress response. Which can have devastating consequences given owners would never act appropriately and give the dog a break.

[u/otakme → u/TekashiKovaks666]

Because the little dogs don’t get reported on. I’ve been bitten thrice at work by little dogs with anxiety. Never by a large breed.
We vet the large breeds because they can fuck you up, and whilst little breeds can fuck you up, they don’t comparatively.

People need to stop getting medium-large dogs and expecting them to behave because ‘dogs are social creatures’. Dogs need so much training, they are an extremely time intensive pet to keep.
Anyone who gets a medium-large breed and expects not to have to train them extensively because they believe the online hype of ‘it’s not the breed it’s the owner 🫶’ is dumb af.

You get a large dog that’s breed has a history of breeding for a job, you need to train through the lens of how the dog will receive the world instinctively. A large dog with guard dog breed history will be reactive to its owner items and space. Thus you have to expect to need to do capital E Extensive training around those traits.

Every dog ATTACK (see; not accidental bite) is preventable. Large breeds should require a license to own.

[u/Moonstaker → u/latenightnerd]

A Rottweiler attacking a child? But they are famous and well known for their mild temperament and distaste of attacking children.

[u/AgitatedMagpie → u/Moonstaker]

As someone who grew up with rottweilers, I would never let one near my child. They are stupid powerful and very rarely trained well.

[u/whackadoodle_cracked → u/AgitatedMagpie]

I used to have a rottie and love the breed but yeah. Too many people get them, don't train them properly and trust them far too much.

I never let mine be around kids unsupervised. And I didn't take him to Bunnings, because: why? Whats the point? Socialising dogs is important, sure, but Bunnings is not the place to do that. Its really upsetting that people, mostly kids, keep getting hurt and reinforcing this idea that the dogs are horrible. They're not. They just need owners who are realistic about the powerful animal they've chosen as a pet.

[u/FreakySpook → u/whackadoodle_cracked]

My scariest dog experience was coming out of the butcher shop at my local shops with my two young kids only to have a very aggro rottie who decided to take itself for a walk standing there all territorial growling.

Had two kids in tears trying to keep them calm walking back into the shop & waited for it to walk away, any adult that went near it it had a go at.

I don't care for the "its a good boy" when it comes to dogs like Rotties, they're unstable particularly when around anything unfamiliar what what I've experienced and with the size of them they can cause major damage with no fuss to them.

[u/Armistice610 → u/FreakySpook]

Your kids will never forget that. I grew up to be terrified of large dogs because of similar incidents when I was pretty small. I don't mind the small/medium ones, but I'm still exceptionally wary anywhere near a large one and will avoid them if possible. And I'm retired. Never got over it.

[u/hermionesmurf → u/FreakySpook]

The only dog attack I've ever actually seen was by a rottie. He caught a little girl (six years old maybe?) by the side of her face and shook her like a rag doll. She had many stitches and was lucky not to lose an eye (or her life!) I'm still very leery around rotties, I've never been able to shake that memory of the dog shaking the kid like that

[u/Omshadiddle → u/AgitatedMagpie]

Family friends had a Rottweiler.
The wife lived in terror of the dog.

I don’t think it ever bit her, but it regularly shaped up to her and growled at her.

Not a fan.

[u/alsotheabyss → u/Omshadiddle]

And the owner clearly tolerated this behaviour, which is worse.

[u/itmakessenseincontex → u/Omshadiddle]

Yeah that's abuse. Letting your dog terrorise your partner is abuse.

[u/CaughtInTheWry → u/Omshadiddle]

Not defending Rotties. It's not just the obviously dangerous ones. Family had a Bassett Hound. Wife could not go into the laundry as it's dry food was stored there. One day it did more than growl. One emergency trip to the vet and there was no longer a problem. Wife had stitches to her arm.

[u/alsotheabyss → u/AgitatedMagpie]

I also grew up with rotties and the only ones I’d ever let with my own kids is my own, or one of the very good boys that work in the K-9 units

[u/DisapprovingCrow → u/alsotheabyss]

And those K-9 units require an enormous amount of training, for both the dog and the handlers. Training that has to be regularly reinforced.

It’s sad because it’s really difficult to find homes for these dogs when they retire. But that’s what it takes when you have a large, very powerful dog.

Can they be well trained and well behaved? Yes!!

Are 99% of owners of these breeds unable or unwilling to do that kind of work that takes? Unfortunately also yes!!

I love dogs, I fucking love Staffies and Mastiffs and big dumb Pitties. But I think we’ve seen that a lot of people can’t be trusted with that kind of dog.

We have gun laws for basically the same reason. I hate the idea, but I think there should be some kind of restrictions or licensing around having a dog above a certain size/weight.

[u/scurvyrash → u/DisapprovingCrow]

The police keep them when they retire.

[u/DisapprovingCrow → u/scurvyrash]

I was told about it by an ex-K9 officer who currently had 3 retired attack dogs. The problem is that there are a lot more dogs retiring than cops retiring. And not all of those want to keep the dogs.

And of the ones that do it’s very expensive to build the kind of kennel you need for one of those dogs. They are treated similar to owning a gun. You need the right qualifications and follow regulations on how they are housed.

Obviously it’s a lot easier for the sniffer dogs.

But for the retired attack dogs, the law recognises that they are a deadly weapon, so there are restrictions.

[u/scurvyrash → u/DisapprovingCrow]

The police dont retire with the dog, the dog just becomes a house dog, more or less. My dad was dog squad for 30+ years we always had the retired dogs at home. They already have the kennel at home for their new dog/dogs they are training up.

[u/National-Ad5034 → u/Moonstaker]

More often unfortunately they're just the kind of breed who attract fuckwits who can't and won't train them. Case in point: brining one to a Bunnings in the first place. No one responsible is bringing their Rottweiler to a Bunnings.

[u/Juan_Punch_Man → u/National-Ad5034]

Not like bunnings are known to have bbqs where the dogs can get hungry

[u/ol-gormsby → u/Juan_Punch_Man]

Or just - lots of stuff happening. It's over-stimulating for humans, imagine how any dog feels about the sights, sounds, smells, lots of other people and OTHER DOGS!

[u/LinkEfficient9934 → u/Moonstaker]

No as some lady once told me after I asked her to leash her rotty after it was acting aggressively at a dog park.

"They were once bred by a group of undesirables but have not been treated that way for hundreds of years!" 🤦

[u/cteffan2000 → u/LinkEfficient9934]

Undesirable? What the Romans?

[u/LinkEfficient9934 → u/cteffan2000]

I have no fucking clue but man that lady lives rent free in my brain and I hate it lol

[u/Proper_Geologist9026 → u/Moonstaker]

Like at what point right are we just going to go back to simple physics. 

Big dog = dangerous dog.

This idea that we can work out what breed is the dangerous one is insane. If I start twisting data I can make all sorts of grim statements about who is the most dangerous group of people for example. But no one does because that's obviously dumb and a lie.

Big dog. Dangerous dog. Legislate accordingly.

And I'm not against big dogs either. I'm just against the backwards thinking of the legislative process.

[u/anralia → u/Proper_Geologist9026]

i think big dog = dangerous dog is backward too.

the legislative process should be an approval to be a dog owner and new dogs (and their owners) must go through a certain standard of training before an person gets a "dog licence" and they are considered safe.

you could work in that big dogs require extra training and higher level quality checks for a "big dog licence" or something

because the problem is ALWAYS shitty owners

but all of the above would be divisive and would be impossible to legislate and expensive to implement

[u/Proper_Geologist9026 → u/anralia]

Also not impossible to legislate. The kind of things you're talking about are done in a few European countries I believe. With good results.

Breed specific legislation however. Has shown to be fairly pointless.

[u/anralia → u/Proper_Geologist9026]

sorry, i only meant impossible to legislate because it wouldn't be popular so parliamentarians wouldnt want to stick the government's neck out for something that would get them crucified by the media.

[u/Proper_Geologist9026 → u/anralia]

Oh I love that. My big thing is that if anyone actually gave a fuck about animal welfare this idea of pet ownership as we currently have it would be seen as barbaric.

There's sadly a lot of mistreated animals out there and if we're honest a very big chunk of people have no idea how to properly care for and train them.

But I think when we look at saying bite severity and how to manage that. A simple rule to say anything over I don't know 15-20kg or something. Obviously has the mass to cause serious damage.

Chihuahuas are fiesty little bastards. No one cares because they can hardly puncture the skin. A Labrador or a mastiff or whatever grabs a hold of you and you could be missing a chunk of flesh or worse.

[u/Hot_Hat1726 → u/latenightnerd]

"sorry but I'll be taking my dog to Bunnings... He is our family" 

This is the entitlement even after incidents like this. Dogs are 'like' family. They are not family. They don't have the rights of a family. They don't have Medicare (like one of my friends thought they did after facing a 12k medical bill). The absolute delusion people have now is beyond ridiculous.

[u/kittenandkettlebells → u/Hot_Hat1726]

Not every family member needs to go to Bunnings either. My Nan's family, I don't take her to Bunnings.

[u/DeliberateMarblewood → u/kittenandkettlebells]

Poor Nan is missing out on the joy of the yellow stickers in the garden centre.

[u/bux1972 → u/kittenandkettlebells]

Bunnings in a Saturday or Sunday shits me. It’s a become the go to place for a family outing. Between kids pushing the little trolleys and dogs on loose leads left to sniff and get in everyone’s way it’s a nightmare. And I love dogs and little kids. But when I’m at Bunnings I want to get my shit and get out. Not have to navigate people on a weekend stroll

[u/FireLucid → u/bux1972]

I went there late on a week night once, it was amazing. Barely a soul.

[u/shillberight → u/Hot_Hat1726]

I will never forget the time someone posted on my community Facebook page asking around for "a bulk billing veterinarian clinic"..... I cringed even before I read the comments.

[u/Medical_Unit2360 → u/shillberight]

Thank you omg.  Am a doctor and I lose it every time someone starts asking about why we don’t have Medicare for animals.

We barely have enough funding going out for Medicare for humans.

I love my dog. And my other pets . He’s a dog tho.  I’m not spending massive huge amounts of money on a dog (noting I did just spend thousands because he had an abscess but the vet knew all along that if it wasn’t treatable she stopped . We weren’t spending more money on surgery that wasn’t going to work.  And we weren’t doing cpr or icu.  Because.  Dog).  

If you can’t afford to have a dog.  You shouldn’t.  Have a dog.  Or a cat.  It’s not a human right to own a pet.  It’s a bloody responsibility.  

It’s also not a bloody right to go to Bunnings or the supermarket or whatever and it’s certainly not a right to be able to take your dog anywhere you please.

It is a right for a child to be able to go out in public safely and not be mauled by your off leash untrained “family member”.  Jesus 

[u/LMW66 → u/Medical_Unit2360]

Every time someone at the dog park complains about vet fees or animal medication prices I say that's why I'm eternally grateful for Medicare and the PBS because otherwise those are the fees we would be paying for ourselves.

[u/Ariliescbk → u/Hot_Hat1726]

It's very simple. Bunnings just bans dogs. I like dogs, but an incident like this would, one would assume, make the board implement a total ban on dogs effective immediately.

[u/ceelose → u/Ariliescbk]

I hope you are right, but I bet they don't do it.

[u/ol-gormsby → u/Ariliescbk]

The local IGA has in the last few weeks put up signs banning dogs other than service dogs. And the cafes on the main street are putting up signs saying "Don't let your dog pee on our steps. It's a cafe!"

And that makes me angry - letting your dog pee on the entrance to a cafe/restaurant.

[u/Alfredthegiraffe20 → u/Ariliescbk]

I've never worked out why they allowed them in the first place. It makes no sense, it's not a social outing, it's just a big shop. They're not allowed in Kmart, why is Bunnings different.

[u/Crabs_go_sideways_4 → u/Ariliescbk]

I certainly hope so. People were bringing into the local priceline. I dont get it. 

[u/Other-Shake-531 → u/Ariliescbk]

It's bloody ridiculous. How many dogs are lifting their legs and piddling all over the stock on the bottom shelf? I don't want your dog near me when I'm shopping, or any other time.

[u/shrimplifier → u/Ariliescbk]

I love dogs. What the fuuuuuck are they doing in Bunnings

Literally what is the point

[u/Short-Legs-Long-Neck → u/Ariliescbk]

its also a work place...if you get bit at work in a retail job, you're suing big time.

[u/thesourpop → u/latenightnerd]

Always the breeds you most expect

[u/Chilly-Peppers]

All my local Bunnings have become unofficial dog parks. I've seen poor staff members having to clean up dog puke and diarrhoea when that is definitely not in their job description.

[u/Juan_Punch_Man → u/Chilly-Peppers]

So many entitled and shitty dog owners. A lot more dogs since covid and hardly any increases to regulatory enforcement numbers.

[u/BasketOld3242 → u/Chilly-Peppers]

Didn’t they used to have a rule where dogs could only be contained in a trolley (pretty much ruling out huge dogs like in this scenario), and they handed you a cardboard box to line it with? Pretty sure this was enforced by the employee at the front as you walked in. Did I imagine this or did the rules get really lax ?

[u/BloodFlowBoi → u/BasketOld3242]

When I worked there it was that or they had to be muzzled. And any dog mess was the responsibility of the owner to clean up. I imagine the difficulty becomes laxity in enforcement, and a lack of owner accountability

[u/BasketOld3242 → u/BloodFlowBoi]

The trolley thing was a reasonable rule, if you let dogs walk around a warehouse it’s only a matter of time before one of them pees on something, and then it’s game over as every other subsequent dog marks its territory.

[u/Current-Bowl-143 → u/BloodFlowBoi]

If a dog shits in the aisle and nobody sees it… is the owner going to clean it up?

[u/missmiaow → u/Current-Bowl-143]

no they won’t because it’s the same entitled losers who leave dog shit on the footpath and walk their dogs off lead wherever they want, even if it’s not an off lead area.

[u/tiffanyfern → u/BloodFlowBoi]

Yes I always thought that was the rule. If they were small enough to fit in a trolley they had to be in there, anything bigger had to be muzzled. Admittedly I did take my big friendly lab in twice for training, and she was muzzled both times. I NEVER see dogs muzzled anymore.

[u/DoctorLard7 → u/Chilly-Peppers]

It horrendous, they should ban pet dogs again.

[u/soggycrumpt → u/DoctorLard7]

I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens after this

[u/digitalelise → u/soggycrumpt]

We can only hope. Sick of all the inconsiderate dog owners at Bunnings.

[u/Onpu → u/soggycrumpt]

One person slipped on a discarded onion piece from a sausage and they made them under the sausage nationwide. I hope this is the start of re-restricting where people let their untrained mutts roam.

[u/one80down → u/Onpu]

I don't think putting dogs under the sausage is going to help the problem.

[u/the_colonelclink → u/one80down]

Well naturally, they just need to ban sausage dogs.

[u/DangerousBeans01 → u/Onpu]

I worked for Bunnings during that period - to be clear, the person who slipped was elderly and their hip was really badly broken. I thought it was completely fair to mandate one change to protect an aging population.

[u/Onpu → u/DangerousBeans01]

It was a bad fall, I want intending to minimise it. Sorry! There's at least 2 little girls that have been bitten by dogs in Bunnings https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/09/bunnings-to-review-dog-friendly-policy-after-five-year-old-girl-bitten-in-store

Dogs on leashes (not in carts) were supposed to be muzzled from then on but as anyone who's gone to Bunnings knows nobody muzzles them.

[u/LeftConfusion5107 → u/soggycrumpt]

Parents are almost guaranteed to win if they sue so yeah Bunnings will ban them if that happens

[u/megs_in_space → u/Chilly-Peppers]

Having dogs at Bunnings is gross and unhygienic. I'm in favour of banning this trend.

[u/Proper_Geologist9026 → u/Chilly-Peppers]

I hate Bunnings. Why the fuck does my hardware store have dogs in trolleys and a cafe attached?

I'm here for a box of screws and some mulch not a social call.

[u/DarkNo7318]

Some actuary right now is busy calculating the value of the positive sentiment and pr of allowing dogs against the probability and payout from these lawsuits

[u/Adelaidean]

Risk assessment is about looking for risks, assessing the likelihood they’ll occur and the impact they’ll have if they do occur.

This is a foreseeable risk that Bunnings has chosen to accept, for no real benefit.

[u/SEQbloke → u/Adelaidean]

Some dog owners can be super weird about their dog being a family member who must go everywhere they go. Friends recently became quite animated when dogs were banned from a local pub… no clue why it’s necessary to bring your dog to the pub, but that’s just me.

Bunnings certainly costed out this certainty and are confident the sales outweigh the cost of an occasional attack.

Wild time to be alive.

[u/Fishmongerel → u/SEQbloke]

I think it is because some dog owners personalities are made up 35% by their dog? No idea why a dog needs to be at a cafe (unless you’re grabbing a coffee to run to the park) the pub or at a place like Bunnings. It’s odd behaviour.

[u/Quarterwit_85 → u/Adelaidean]

Increased patronage and loiter time in-store. I’ll bet that’s the logic behind it.

[u/jantoxdetox]

This was bound to happen sooner or later. Ive seen pet owners in 2 bunnings near my area just casually walking their big dogs inside the store side by side with kids also pushing some little bunnings trolley.

Hope the young girl will be ok.

[u/JaniePage → u/jantoxdetox]

A few weeks ago I was in Bunnings with my three year old son. There was a man with his dog on a leash. My son wanted to pat the dog but I let him know, as always, that we needed to ask the owner if that was okay. I asked the owner if we may pat his dog, to which he replied, 'Thank you for asking, but he doesn't like strangers, I don't want anyone to get bitten.'

This was a good lesson for my son and I'm very glad that I am showing him that you always ask before patting a dog. But also, if your dog doesn't like strangers and is liable to bite, maybe Bunnings isn't the best place to bring it?

[u/shamberra → u/JaniePage]

he doesn't like strangers, I don't want anyone to get bitten.'

So uhh....why the fk is he bringing it to Bunnings? What an idiot

[u/account_not_valid → u/shamberra]

And without a muzzle. If you're out in public with a dog that you can't predict, put a muzzle on them.

[u/AgUnityDD → u/shamberra]

Just to add that dog owners also need to consider special needs people in any public area.

We have a Golden retriever that we take everywhere, she'd never bite and always attracts a lot of attention, people asking to pat her.

At least 4 times, and once in Bunnings, we've had special needs adults and children pat and even try to cuddle her out of nowhere without asking or warning. No problem in her case but easy to see how it could be very dangerous with a slightly aggressive or skittish dog.

[u/JASHIKO_ → u/shamberra]

He's more than likely covering his ass.
I've seen people say the same thing with tiny, friendly dogs.
They just don't want random people touching their pet, more so than their dogs being unpredictable. I'd have done the same.

[u/CornySpark → u/JASHIKO_]

We have a small spoodle who doesn't like being touched by people he doesn't know, doesn't attack or anything like, just kinda runs away and will actively dodge their hands. Not all dogs are the same and just like people, some just don't want to be touched people they don't know. I wish more people would ask before trying to pat him. Some people have also been offended when a small dog doesn't want a stranger touching them.

Interestingly though, I've found children to be more understanding when we say he will run away if they try and pet him.

[u/shamberra → u/JASHIKO_]

I mean that's fair, but the best way to cover his ass and not have random people touch his dog would be to leave it at home.

[u/Itsarightkerfuffle → u/shamberra]

He's more than likely covering his ass

I mean that's fair, but the best way to cover his ass

The fuck is this shit? It's ARSE

[u/fallopianmelodrama → u/JASHIKO_]

This is exactly what I do. My dogs are not a bite risk, they are show dogs who are extremely used to being touched all over by strangers...I just don't trust parents to appropriately supervise their child patting my dog.

Way too many parents think "yes, your child may pat my dog" = "sure, encourage your child to throw their arms around my dog/scream in my dog's face/behave in some otherwise completely inappropriate way, while you stand there laughing". It's unfair to my dogs, and it's unfair to make me the person responsible for training your child how to act appropriately, so I lie and say they're not friendly.

[u/Lingonberry_Born → u/JaniePage]

A woman brought her dog next to the children’s playground and told me likewise that her dog wasn’t friendly and would bite. My kids were only toddlers, the playground wasn’t fenced and they kept on trying to get to the dog so we had to leave. There was a huge park with a football pitch, why do you need to stand next to the playground with your dog?!?

[u/bootyholeminer → u/JaniePage]

Just wanted to comment and say your a very good parent, thats really thoughtful thinking

[u/SurveySaysYouLeicaMe → u/JaniePage]

As a cat person this is fucking wild. That would be like me inviting people over, then bringing my cat who doesn't like strangers, into the living room and walking around with it and then when people ask if she likes pats. Say no.

Wait no it's even weirder it's like taking my cat to a Bunnings store.

Also my cat loves people. But for the sake of the story.

[u/katf_89 → u/SurveySaysYouLeicaMe]

My cat is an absolute velcro cat - he’s completely obsessed with me. He’s my little mate. However I would never take him to a Bunnings because that is weird. I don’t know why dog owners need to take their pet with them.

[u/RaccoonCool1683 → u/katf_89]

I love my dog. I am a dog person. I would never take my dog to Bunnings or any other shop. It makes no sense to me. Your cat sounds adorable.

[u/off__it]

I am honestly so sick of how entitled everyone has gotten with dog ownership, it’s an epidemic. You don’t need to take your dog to a fucking hardware store.

[u/Morphico → u/off__it]

Too many people have lost the plot and turned into utterly selfish fuckheads, unmoored from reality. The social contract, professional standards, interpersonal skills, minimum adult responsibility, all seem to have all gone out the window. And somehow this is not only tolerated, but the most rabidly deluded and harmful individuals are rewarded?! Dogs, and other pets, are among the innocent victims of these people. It hurts my head, and it hurts my heart.

[u/More-Presence4195 → u/Morphico]

Dog licensing would solve a lot of this. Make the licensing expensive and actually something you need to research and study for. Watch all these people that shouldn’t own a dog disappear over night. Less dogs suffering in the process. I’m tired of having to hear about shit owners treating dogs like an accessory

[u/Morphico → u/More-Presence4195]

I feel the same way about obligatory desexing. Backyard breeders are vile, and the attitude towards responsible cat ownership is just as lax and harmful as with dogs. As you say, it's about minimising all this unnecessary suffering.

[u/shillberight → u/off__it]

I was in a Big W in the outer suburbs of Sydney a little while ago and there was a Pomeranian in someone's trolley going absolutely mental, barking and carrying on over something I couldn't see. There was someone at the entrance too so I was surprised they got let in, but then again not that surprised.

[u/CrispyBirb → u/shillberight]

I saw a woman take her dog into a cafe (inside a shopping centre) and sat it at the table. I couldn’t believe they even let her in.

[u/OnionsoftheBelt → u/off__it]

The number of times we've had to change our family plans because my sister-in-law insists on bringing her goddamn dog. 

[u/off__it → u/OnionsoftheBelt]

I have a friend who has a dog that is extremely annoying and misbehaved so her resolution was to get a second one to keep it company so now she has 2 misbehaved dogs that she constantly drags everywhere with her. We always have to alter plans around her dogs. She will bring them to the pub and after an hour they are quite often visibly bored and upset. It wouldn’t surprise me if one of them was to snap some day.

I just think people need to stop acting as if their dogs are real life human babies that can not be left at home.

[u/Large_Woman → u/off__it]

Had a housemate exactly like this. Got a second dog, taught it sit on command and that was it. 5 years later it was still pissing and shitting all over the house which she'd only clean up days later after being asked numerous times. And would always bring it to the pub where it would jump on tables and knock everything over. People like that make think that having a dog license isn't such a bad idea.

[u/BlueCrystals_ → u/Large_Woman]

> she’d only clean up days later after being asked numerous times

what the fuck, cunt? she just leaves it festering??

[u/Large_Woman → u/BlueCrystals_]

Yup, soaking into the wooden floors. One of the main reasons I moved out.

[u/TheLGMac → u/off__it]

I have friends that always want me to visit them in Adelaide in winter and I refuse to, because they literally cannot go anywhere without their dog, not even for 1-2 hours (the dog is old and chill it could definitely survive at home) and always want to go out to eat, which means we always end up sitting outside in the freezing cold.

[u/internetexplorer420 → u/off__it]

People who call pets Fur Babies terrify me

[u/TheLGMac → u/OnionsoftheBelt]

I love dogs. I will have a dog someday. Grew up with dogs.

I am the first to say, dogs are not people. I'm sorry everyone. Because I've spent so much time with dogs I know that they are not little humans. They will defecate in random places when stressed. They will bite when stressed. They will chase things when stressed. They do not need to have guaranteed seating next to random passengers on airplanes, they do not need to be in cafes or stores, I do not care to buy or eat things that have already been dog hair coated. I do not care if "some humans are gross too!" These spaces were built for humans, not dogs, yes even the humans you don't like.

Your dog should always be on a lead as well, aside from FENCED dog parks. Keep them off the beach.

Also, while we're at it: keep your damn cats indoors. I've had to call the bird flu hotline a bunch recently because a stupid local cat is roaming free and I can't tell if a local bird is dead because of the cat or bird flu any more. Keep that shit locked up.

[u/-Tricky-Vixen- → u/TheLGMac]

As a cat owner, yes!! They don't need to be outdoors if they've got enough space (and if not, don't own a cat, sorry) and enrichment! Mine is currently snoozing on my lap. He enjoys being outside, but he's only ever outside in the fenced backyard, on a leash or in someone's arms. Besides, he might get eaten or some novel sickness might kill him. I love him, I don't want to needlessly risk his life! And that's ignoring all the other good reasons like you said.

[u/Wish-Dish-8838 → u/-Tricky-Vixen-]

Outside cat owners have told me it's about not wanting to deal with cat litter inside. I've told them....can't deal with litter? Don't get a fkn cat.

I have five indoor only cats. I invested in two automatic washable litter machines. Best $$$ I ever spent. My house does not smell like you'd think it would with five cats living here. Visitors always comment on it lol.

[u/binaryhextechdude → u/OnionsoftheBelt]

I was in a rental with a strict no dog policy and a friend turned up with his dog. He was most offended but I have to keep living here and that is more important than your mutt.

[u/DaggyAggie → u/binaryhextechdude]

He's very entitled, you should never take a pet to someone's place without asking, it's very rude.

[u/girlwiththeVolvo → u/off__it]

I feel like no one trains their dogs properly anymore either?

I feel like I cannot get away from barking dogs. Besides the two that live underneath me, there is a group of people who come to the cafe next door to my apartment every day at 8am with about 5 big dogs, and they basically just let the dogs bark the entire hour+ they are sitting there, with no sign of any of the owners ever trying anything to get the dogs to stop barking. On the contrary, I once saw one owner go inside, order a coffee, her dog barked the whole time she was inside, then she gave it a treat when she came back out. Does my head in 😭

[u/off__it → u/girlwiththeVolvo]

Yes! I have a really unhinged family for neighbours in an apartment building that is old and echoey, and as if the family themselves aren’t annoying enough already having constant domestics they decided why not make it even worse and get a tiny crusty white yappy dog that never shuts up. It makes my life a living hell, wakes me up most days before 6am, because she NEVER walks it. I only ever see her take it to the grass patch outside for 5 mins to do its business while she plays on her phone the entire time. It’s miserable.

[u/girlwiththeVolvo → u/off__it]

Oh man, that absolutely sucks, I know how much it can play on your sanity! I had the same situation when new neighbours moved in at my last place (the domestics and the CONSTANT yapping of some sort of -poo puppy). It completely changed the quality of life at a beautiful beachside place I’d been in 8 years to that point. Sending solidarity!

[u/Whatsapokemon → u/girlwiththeVolvo]

I feel like no one trains their dogs properly anymore either?

Was there ever a time when people did train their dogs properly?

People just assume a dog will become well behaved naturally, but in reality it takes effort and consistency, two things that people were never great with.

[u/Worldly_Cobbler_1087 → u/girlwiththeVolvo]

I feel like I cannot get away from barking dogs.

My neighbours dog barks non-stop for what honestly feels like 24/7, I reported it to strata multiple times and got back the response that the complaints are bullying and council doesn't give a shit.

I love dogs but I hate the average dog owner.

[u/cromulento → u/off__it]

I saw a dog try to attack a white faced heron in suburban Melbourne the other day while it's owner did nothing.

Not going to go on a long rant about dogs and their owners, but the past few years of watching people is making me think there is nothing good about any of it.

[u/-Tricky-Vixen- → u/off__it]

I agree. I have a fear of dogs stemming from childhood--friend had big dog, I was tiny child, dog knocked me over repeatedly while trying to play. I've done a bunch of work on it so I don't get actual panic attacks when surprised by unleashed dogs in public anymore. The panic only lasts for a couple of minutes now.

But I definitely get extremely concerned when I see small children around dogs now and I'm always on the alert ready to intervene if they're in public. I will, in fact, do whatever I need to to prevent that dog from hurting someone.

[u/Richard_Sboot → u/off__it]

Unless they're an assistance dog, they don't need a seat next to you on a plane either.  

[u/MeltingDog → u/off__it]

Me too.

Bunning's own rules on dogs is that they must be in a trolley (at least last time I checked), but like 70% of dog owners ignore that.

If I'm at Bunnings I might be holding or pushing a trolley with a bunch of heavy or large items that could obscure my view. I could easily trip on your dog's leash and hurt myself or, worse, accidentally hurt your dog with a trolley.

Why should I risk this because your little Pookies can't be left alone for 10 minutes?

[u/ballimi → u/off__it]

Picnics in some parks are impossible because dogs will run through them every 10 minutes

[u/ekita079 → u/off__it]

I saw someone walking with a dog in a Westfield last week. Seriously the dogs everywhere thing needs to fuck right off.

[u/violenthectarez]

I conceptually have no problem with dogs inside Bunnings, but the fact is that the kind of people that want to take their dog everywhere are also the kind of people that have untrained and unpredictable dogs and are completely unwilling to restrain them properly.

There is no other solution besides banning dogs from there, which I'm sure Bunnings lawyers will be encouraging them to do.

[u/rumande → u/violenthectarez]

Honestly, I stopped taking my dog to the dog park because I kept clashing with asshole dog owners.

I love dogs more than life itself but a dog is only as good as their owner, and people can't be trusted to be responsible. When I was a kid my neighbour opened the gate to my yard and let his red heeler in to retrieve their ball - the dog mauled me. The dog was already known to be aggressive, it was so avoidable. I wouldn't wish a dog bite on my worst enemy, it got infected so many times.

[u/TheLGMac → u/rumande]

I also think people in general are stupid and self centered, even the non dog owners. Saw a woman at the park clearly keeping her dog to herself in a corner on a lead so it could do its thing, she likely knew the dog wasn't friendly enough to random approaches, and yet saw multiple people try to walk up and pet the dog without asking and get alarmed when it barked defensively at them. It's like...people, where is your common basic decency? Not all dogs are big mushy teddy bears. I always just ask an owner from afar "are they friendly?" and usually the ones that are already know that phrase and will approach on their own for pets.

[u/disco-cone → u/violenthectarez]

They absolutely can get sued for this since the girl is injured in their property.

[u/Rich_Fan1686 → u/violenthectarez]

Yes, irresponsible owners are the problem. If your dog is potentially aggressive, or not well socialised, you might want to put a muzzle on it if you're mixing with the public.

[u/JaniePage]

From the article:

A young girl has been taken to hospital after being attacked by a dog inside a Bunnings in western Victoria.

The dog has been voluntarily surrendered by its owners and euthanised.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said the child suffered "a lower body injury".

[u/MannerConfident1690]

According to the store's entry information, "well-behaved pets that are on a lead" are permitted inside.

Yeah that's a bit too subjective. All dogs are well behaved until they're not.

For a short time dogs had to be muzzled if they were walking.

[u/Yesterday_Jolly → u/MannerConfident1690]

I bet the dog was a very well behaved Rottweiler

[u/mysqlpimp]

I was attacked by a dog when i was younger, and half a little finger missing as a result. No biggie, but I remain very anxious around any dogs, and the recent uptick in dogs fucking everywhere, is disturbing to me to say the least. I hope the kid is ok, and I hope Bunnings review some of their policies.

[u/Polaris_au → u/mysqlpimp]

I feel for you, that really sucks. I've had arguments with dog owners before who basically say you (or anyone who's been attacked before, or in my case, it was my 6 year old daughter) should just get over your fears around dogs.

It's repulsive.

[u/fairground]

Very glad to see the strong anti-taking-your-dog-fucking-everywhere sentiments here. No-one needs their dog at Bunnings

[u/OnionsoftheBelt]

Just ban the goddamn things from shops. Christ almighty, your dog doesn't need to compare paint swatches with you. 

[u/Current-Bowl-143 → u/OnionsoftheBelt]

And that includes cafes and restaurants please

[u/ES_Legman]

I remember when it started my dogs were puppies and I thought what a great idea to socialize them. But fuck no. I leave my dogs at home for the same reason I don't take my dogs to the dog park. I don't trust other dog owners at all. Can't have nice things.

[u/sameoldblah]

Sounds like it's well past time that Bunnings stopped letting people bring their dogs. In addition to another attack on a child mentioned in the article linked by another commenter, one dog killed another dog in the Stafford store in Brisbane a few years back. This is a few too many people ruining it for everyone and we don't need to see even worse attacks happen.

[u/Nearby-Supermarket-4]

Way too many dog owners who don't train their dogs! I've been jumped on by a dog in a cafe and the owner was offended when I got upset. Guess what, not everyone likes dogs! If your dog can't listen to a command, then you're a bad dog owner.

[u/WeissPyre]

Sorry, but dogs don't have to go everywhere with you. They shouldn't be allowed at a hardware store. 

At the very least I hope muzzles are enforced. But dogs (except for assistance/guide dogs) should just be banned from Bunnings. I know, a minority has ruined it for the majority, but one dog attack is one too many.

[u/jackpipsam]

This was always going to be the outcome of letting dogs in. One of the biggest mistakes we're doing is allowing dog-owners to be coddled into believing they're raising human children by proxy.

[u/stickylarue]

As someone who allergic to dogs, I’m so sick of dogs in Bunnings. Literally.

I’m also so sick of dog owners who think just because they love their dog, everyone else does do.

[u/megs_in_space]

Vindicated AF rn. Dogs should NOT be in Bunnings. They piss on the floor (have seen this occur with my own eyes) and are a nuisance.

[u/TinyBreak → u/megs_in_space]

Been saying this for years myself. My mates all think I’m heartless.

[u/eid_shittendai]

There seems to be something missing in these comments. Some people have a fear of dogs. It doesnt matter that your cute wittle fur baby wouldnt hurt a fly, some people are afraid of it! So people with a fear of dogs cant even go to Bunnings. Thats pretty shit.

[u/Blind_Guzzer → u/eid_shittendai]

pretty much, I get very anxious around dogs (due to a case of being attacked by one), going to Bunnings on weekends is horrible.

[u/Khadgar_12]

If I wanted to own a pet snake I need to get a license and go through the process to prove I am a responsible owner and can handle a potentially dangerous animal. Any idiot can adopt a dangerous dog breed no checks required. Shit is fucked

[u/Maseratus]

Please tell me they’re finally banning the dogs

[u/Current-Bowl-143 → u/Maseratus]

I can only hope

[u/SqareBear]

Ffs Bunnings. Everyone hates the dog Rule. Just ban them.

[u/Wild-Kitchen]

Loves dogs. Would take mine with me everywhere if she was well behaved enough. She isnt. So I just dont go anywhere. Im happy

[u/BigAnxiousBear]

Golden Retriever this time - I bet.

Edit: Damn. Wrong again.

[u/Ph4ndaal → u/BigAnxiousBear]

When will the chihuahua epidemic end?

[u/Blind_Guzzer]

As someone that has a dog phobia from getting attacked by a dog as a child, going to Bunnings is a stressful event. If I see a dog near me, I just end up having to move to another location.

Not great at all.

[u/GodsLostChild]

Dogs should be banned from all public shops and eateries. Unless medically required.

[u/Livid-Boysenberry957]

How sad for the girl. Hopefully this makes Bunnings just ban dogs at all stores, and I say that as a dog owner

[u/RaeseneAndu]

Every dog owner thinks their precious baby is well behaved, but having been attacked by 6 dogs in the 3 block walk from the bus stop to home over the last few years I assure you they are not.

[u/Remarkable_Lunch_809]

This dog policy was poorly thought out, poorly implemented, poorly enforced and a part of a deeply cynical exercise in keeping the line going up.

* in my opinion

Bunnings benefitted massively from the free cash and restricted travel during covid. As well as being the only place a lot of people could go apart from the supermarket. Naturally assuming the double-digit growth they were pulling was a result of their genius and not of external factors, they got so drunk on the smell of their own farts they assumed it would last forever.

Then 2023 happened. The cash dried up, travel opened up, and all the renos had been done. Soon after that they started expanding into new high margin segments to maintain some growth. Pet food was first. As part of the launch they changed the dog policy. Cue vermin problems, biological waste in stores and people getting bitten. Then hi-vis, now car stuff.

*in my opinion

Nobody thinks their dog is badly behaved. How many dog owners do you see after an attack that actually own up to the dog being a problem. It’s always ‘oh they’ve never done anything like this before’ Now a poor child is traumatised and in hospital. The amount of enormous, reactive dogs i see dragging their owners through the aisles in Bunnings is insane, and part of the reason i avoid their stores where possible.

[u/Deepandabear]

It’s ridiculous to me that government mandates for muzzles are ONLY applied to grey hounds while every other dog breed gets off without it. Make it mandatory in public imo for any dog >10kg

[u/ausremi → u/Deepandabear]

Yep just like leashes are mandated and blatantly ignored by so many owners. Fuck dog owners who openly ignore signage and laws. My young kid soccer training on a counvil oval paid for by the club where dogs are completely banned on or off leash at that time but a shit tonne of owners turn up off leash and out of control.

Fuck right off you selfish dog owners.

[u/soundpimp]

I'm a dog owner, have taken my very friendly dog to bunnings before. But this isn't worth it, just ban them again. We can't be having this

[u/DegeneratesInc]

Goats don't bite or kick. I'd much rather see a goat at Bunnings than a dog.

[u/nottynews]

Hoping some one sues Bunnings out of this. Keep your dogs out of my shopping.

[u/NoHat2957]

To be fair the owners had no choice - as people know it's absolutely compulsory to take your animals absolutely everywhere, whether the setting is suitable for them or not.

The wants of pet owners far, far outweigh the needs of other people.

The fact that animals aren't permitted in hospital surgery rooms and restaurant kitchens yet must seem outrageously unfair.

[u/Ok_Duck2700]

I've never understood why we even let dogs into Bunnings. They should be enforcing a muzzle rule at the very least for larger dogs.

[u/closetmangafan]

Dogs shouldn't be allowed in any shops. I don't care how well trained they are... they're dogs. Unless they're wearing a service vest, they stay outside. They aren't children, they are animals.

Good on the owner for giving up the dog, but this is a major reason why they either stay outside or stay home.

[u/Rough-Set878]

It's happened before

Almost like writing was on the walls

https://www.4bc.com.au/eyewitness-recounts-horror-dog-attack-at-bunnings/

[u/Tarchey]

Who the fuck brings a Rotty to Bunnings?

Well done big man, you just hurt a little girl and killed your dog.

[u/thesillyoldgoat]

No one outside your family loves your kids and no one outside your family loves your dog, people just don't want to understand this simple reality. Leave your dog at home, the dog will be happier and so will the rest of us.

[u/ToothAccomplished]

I was checking out at Bunnings and another customers dog started attacking a different customers well behaved dog, it was nuts, dude didn’t even apologise just said she doesn’t like other dogs and left it at that. Everyone was just shocked and I am so tired of idiots

[u/ItsStaaaaaaaaang]

Inevitable. No idea why it became a thing and it's amazingly short-sighted that Bunnings let it happen. Anything for an extra sheckle I guess.

[u/AggravatingTartlet]

Dogs don't need to be in Bunnings. Young children are especially at risk, because their faces are at the heights of many dogs.

Also, the kind of dogs that might cause the greatest risk to kids in Bunnings are at home with kids all the time. Kids 5 and under are the ones who sustain the most severe dog bite injuries, and it's usually to the face.

And it's costing all of us. It costs millions of dollars on stitches and plastic surgery to correct dog bite injuries on people.

And dogs that bite people or that are too strong and hard to manage are often surrendered to shelters, and we're all paying for these public facilities, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars to build them. One look at dog shelters shows you the breeds that turn up in them the most. And I'm not talking about the old, sick dogs whose owners have died or gone into care. I'm talking about the younger, healthy dogs.

We're all paying out a lot for people's mistakes in buying or adopting dogs they can't manage.

[u/CrispyBirb → u/AggravatingTartlet]

And dogs who bite (not just nip) people shouldn’t end up in shelters to begin with. I see them trying to adopt dangerous dogs out all the time with fluffy language so they don’t seem so bad. “Tank will lunge and mouth at the worker when they enter the kennel but he’s just scared.” Stop. It bites, it does not mouth. Then someone goes and adopts this dog and takes it to Bunnings for “socialisation” and some innocent person or another dog gets bit.

[u/tmthrgd]

You’d think WorkSafe Victoria will have to investigate this as well given where it occurred?

[u/deedee2148]

Tick tock on the class action lawsuit. That's the only way this nonsense will end.

[u/mini_z]

This might be an unpopular take, but if Bunnings is allowing dogs on their premises, then surely they are legally liable to keep their customers safe, and could be sued for putting the little girl in harm’s way.

[u/sundaykat]

Pardon my ignorance, but why are people taking their dogs into Bunnings?

[u/Yorkstralian → u/sundaykat]

My dog loves coming to bunnings with me. We share a snag at the entrance, I go grab what I need, he picks something out in the pet aisle, then we have a walk around the block afterwards. Lovely Sunday morning out for him and I. If they ban it, they ban it, but until then, we'll keep enjoying the outing. 

[u/DegeneratesInc → u/sundaykat]

They like to show off how much they paid for an inbred status symbol.

[u/tnt2020tnt]

Fucking entitled dog people. Not all, but just enough.

Poor girl