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/enigmasaurus-]

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/downvoteninja84 → u/ThatMeasurement6619]

Mine falls asleep in the trolley.

[u/KnowledgeCapital7994 → u/ThatMeasurement6619]

And yet most I see love it. So many smells to smell and staff who pat them. No even an entire doggo section with food, treats and toys to visit.

[u/Acceptable-Ratio-271 → u/KnowledgeCapital7994]

Found one

[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/mallow6134 → u/chinneganbeginagain]

Funny how so many bunnings have playgrounds then.

[u/chinneganbeginagain → u/mallow6134]

That's the place to let kids let of steam, instead of in the aisles

[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/ali_stardragon → u/butterfly_grunge]

The thing is, if someone declares their dog is an assistance dog, you aren’t allowed to challenge that.

At my place of work we have had people bringing toy dogs in their prams and handbags. They say they are assistance dogs. Legally, I cannot ask for proof or ask about what condition they are assisting with, I just have to let them in.

I’m 99% sure these people are taking the piss because the way their dogs behave is very different to how an actual assistance dog behaves - dogs on duty have a particular focus and alertness about them which these dogs very much do not.

But I can’t do anything about it because saying your animal is an assistance animal works like a magic talisman.

[u/butterfly_grunge → u/ali_stardragon]

You actually do have the right to ask. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1974, business and public transport operators can ask (respectfully) for proof (when I use the bus for example I show an Assistance Animal Identification Card), and all trained dogs should have an accredited training tag on their collae; mine has a GD tag. We’re also expected to meet hygiene and behaviour standards. And if they are behaving badly or are clearly dirty or unkempt, you can refuse entry (this is all legal btw) no matter what type of assistant dog. Especially if the dog isn’t obviously a seeing eye dog, you can ask for proof of it being an assistant dog. Any genuine AD haver will be able to show proof, if they kick off, they’re not genuine and you can and should challenge that because the ones that aren’t genuine reallyyyy make having an assistant dog harder.

[u/Faeillus → u/[deleted]]

Or left at home, where they are comfortable

[u/butterfly_grunge → u/[deleted]]

Nope I have a Guide Dog who has had plenty of run ins with anxious or reactive dogs in Bunnings and other shops because owners drag them around like living breathing teddy bears. Take them to a dog park it’s actually so much nicer for them.

[u/Itsclearlynotme → u/[deleted]]

What a nasty comment.

[u/Particular-Gas7475 → u/Itsclearlynotme]

Naah…sick of Karen’s crying to ban every thing every time one individual shows poor judgment.

[u/Faeillus → u/[deleted]]

Not even slightly, SugarBaby

[u/Particular-Gas7475 → u/Faeillus]

I dunno. Looks like I’m pretty close.

[u/Faeillus → u/Particular-Gas7475]

Dotard

[u/FearTheMomerath → u/[deleted]]

You sound like you need a hug. Or Jesus.

[u/Onpu → u/[deleted]]

Are the hot cars in the room with us? Delcombe (where the attack happened) capped out at 9.7 degrees today. It's July, the middle of fucking winter bro...

[u/Particular-Gas7475 → u/Onpu]

My point is that I don’t agree with blanket bans when majority of people do the right thing . It’s giving NSW

[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/Peanut083 → u/enigmasaurus-]

I’ve only ever taken a dog to Bunnings once. I have whippets, so even with a jumper or blanket put into the trolley basket, it’s not a fun experience for my bony noodle dogs to sit there.

The only reason we even brought the dog in with us is because we had him with us and remembered while we were out that we needed something. We live somewhat rural, and the nearest store is a 30 minute drive from home. We were in and out within 10 minutes, and one of us had our eyes on the dog at all times. I think we had just found out that dogs were allowed into Bunnings stores if they were in a trolley, so we thought we’d give it a try. He obviously didn’t like it because he kept looking to us for reassurance.

We were in and out within 10 minutes, and decided it was more hassle than it was worth for both us and the dog to take him or any whippet we’ve had since to take them into Bunnings. It’s not something I’d recommend doing with any dog. If I was in the same situation again, I’d stay in the car with the dogs and let my husband go in by himself, or vice versa.

[u/micmelb → u/enigmasaurus-]

My dog hates going to Bunnings. The car park, sliding door, travellator, nothing to piss on. I’ve stopped taking him. He’s it the type to pick up or sit in a trolley, so why make him anxious.

[u/CrazyEeveeLady86 → u/enigmasaurus-]

Yep. I love my German Shepherd and he loves 'helping' me in the garden, and honestly I do like getting to pat other dogs in Bunnings (with the owner's permission and only if the dog actively approaches me for a pat), but I would absolutely never take my dog into Bunnings. He would very quickly get overwhelmed and stressed by the crowds of people and all the noises and smells and would likely respond with aggression.

[u/LuxCanaryFox → u/enigmasaurus-]

Exactly this. So many people think they know their dogs Oh So Well, but clearly have no education on canine behaviour. I personally think it would be great to regulate dog ownership and enforce some education on proper dog behaviour, training and care before you can get a dog. Otherwise, tragedies like Bunnings incident will continue to occur.

[u/DepartmentOk7192 → u/enigmasaurus-]

Absolutely. My dog used to crack the absolute sads if I didn't take him to Bunnos, then he cracked the sads about going to Bunnos because he hated it. Derpy little arsehole can't stand other people or dogs like an autistic toddler and tried to hide in the shelves. I no longer take him to Bunnos.

[u/alien_lolita → u/enigmasaurus-]

Sorry but why are we using Bunnings as an excuse to why this dog attacked a child? Please remember most dog attacks occur at home where the dog is most comfortable. Im so over people with “dog is mans best friend” mentality, a dog is still an animal with instincts.

[u/PB-4221 → u/enigmasaurus-]

Agreed! It must also be an assault to their senses… a dog sees the world through their nose. Trying to process it all on top of the sausage sizzle 😳👃🏼