Dogs in restaurants

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 11:21 am

Last night we went out for a meal at our favourite Indian restaurant, just after we had ordered our meal a group of people arrived, accompanied by a huge husky type dog. The group sat at a table at the edge of the restaurant and one of them went and tied the dog to the other side of the railings

Throughout the meal the dog barked constantly preventing any conversation or relaxation and spoiling the evening for very many customers, some of who spoke to the owner who seemed unable or unwilling to deal with the problem.

I am a dog lover myself but why do people feel the need to take their pet with them when going out to a restaurant, they may think their dog is beautiful but surely people should not have to be inconvenienced because they can't leave the dog at home for a couple of hours.

gates · Post by **gates** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 12:21 pm

here here barking dogs in restaurants is un hygienic and very annoying to all but the selfish owners

Mozgor · Post by **Mozgor** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 12:54 pm

I know I will get shot down in flames, but I feel exactly the same way about children in restaurants when their parents don't control them.

Would much rather see a dog, but that's just me.

Moyra

laptatony · Post by **laptatony** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 1:13 pm

My biggest bugbear are cats in restaurants, so many restaurants do nothing to stop them, then you get idiots feeding them and encouraging them. They are probably not vaccinated and carry disease, yet are allowed to wander through restaurants and even climb on tables eating off plates that have not been cleared away quickly enough. Ughhhhhhh........

ailletoo · Post by **ailletoo** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 1:51 pm

I agree with Moyra, I would much rather see a dog in a restaurant than an undisciplined child.........

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 2:09 pm

ailletoo wrote:I agree with Moyra, I would much rather see a dog in a restaurant than an undisciplined child.........

I always find the comparison between children and dogs totally ridiculous, not many children that I have seen have fleas, shed hair, or lick their meat and two veg while people are trying to enjoy a meal and an evening out.

Panchocat · Post by **Panchocat** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 3:30 pm

Which restaurant was that?
In my experience most of the Pakistani waiters and gardeners are afraid of dogs.

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 3:35 pm

Panchocat wrote:Which restaurant was that?
In my experience most of the Pakistani waiters and gardeners are afraid of dogs.

The name of the restaurant is immaterial, it was the selfish dog owners who caused the problem, not the staff at the restaurant.

Panchocat · Post by **Panchocat** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 3:40 pm

Only asking because my very good friend who has MS is dog phobic and as we go to Indian/Pakistani restaurants a lot I was merely trying to ascertain which one it was so that it could be avoided.
I wasn't in any way blaming the waiters.
Her phobia is very real and many people cannot understand her feelings when in the proximity of dogs.
Could you perhaps indicate if it is situated East or West of Girne.
Thank you.

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 3:47 pm

Panchocat, have sent you a PM

snd1966 · Post by **snd1966** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 5:07 pm

I have found here and in a way understand why the human race needs laws and then fines to reinforce them, will do as they like and can understand why certain books were written to guide us.

The law states no dogs in restaurants but I have heard them he will sit quietly, its too hot for him to sit in the car, he gets lonely at home, he's only small and will sit on my lap and make the restaurant owner out to be the bad person. My personal view is I would never inflict my 3 dogs on anyone therefore they would never be accompanied in a restaurant. Restaurants are for people and well behaved little people especially in the evening , bars are for big people and places like burger king are for little people who don't know how to be behave.

The comment about the cats yes I wish also people if they want their leftovers given to the cat ask the owner / waiter, again its unfair on the next person who eats at that table but how can the poor cat work it out is beyond me.

Restaurant workers have hard enough time with lack of trade, frustrated customers who know the law without tripping over cats and tied up dogs so lets all leave our dogs at home unless we are blind and feed the cats if we want in a secluded corner well away from a table.

ailletoo · Post by **ailletoo** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 5:52 pm

They’re welcome in our homes, and maybe even in our beds. So why do people find the presence of dogs in restaurants to be unsanitary or simply unsafe. All these people who claim to be dog owners/lovers, do you all keep your animals outside while you eat at home?

A healthy dog that is fully vaccinated and on a monthly parasite prevention, will pose an extremely low risk to human health, And even if the dog is unhealthy, contact with their bodily fluids is Highly unlikely. As long as the dog’s waste is kept away from the dining area, there is little concern for health risks to humans. Just sayin'.

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 6:22 pm

There is a vast difference in what is acceptable in your own home with your own dog and what is acceptable in a restaurant where people have gone to enjoy an evening out and a meal, and are paying to do so.
In this particular incident the dog just kept on barking because he was tied up and could not get to it's owner, who incidentally seemed oblivious to the fact that it was annoying other people.
As snd1966 says, restaurants are for people and the only dogs that should be in there are guide dogs and the like, it really is just a matter of common courtesy.

snd1966 · Post by **snd1966** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 6:51 pm

ailletoo wrote:They’re welcome in our homes, and maybe even in our beds. So why do people find the presence of dogs in restaurants to be unsanitary or simply unsafe. All these people who claim to be dog owners/lovers, do you all keep your animals outside while you eat at home?.

No I do not keep my dogs outside but they are not allowed to do 'wait' time in the kitchen area or anywhere near the table. One thing I can not stand is a begging animal therefore all scraps are saved and given at their meal times. Yes I have made rules too which enables them and I to live happily side by side.

Restaurants owners should not be put in the position of having to upset customers, the law is no dogs, obviously implemented under British law as I can not imagine in the past the local population taking their dogs out. I can understand people who have a trained animal but I find these owners do not inflict their dogs on me. The majority of dogs I see out at these places are spoilt brats and rule the roost and its owner has the bad attitude of love me love my dog

rowan · Post by **rowan** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 8:05 pm

I am a dog owner and a cat lover. My view is that dogs should not be allowed in restaurants due to issues about hygiene and the same for cats. I do not see why people feel the need to feed cats at the table in restaurants. If I have food left, I call the cats and take it away from the table, no-one is offended and the cats are fed, I find it deplorable that people feed either dog or cat from the table but believe that a simple note attached to the menu would go a long way towards making the situation more bearable for both animals and the clients.

Panchocat · Post by **Panchocat** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 8:59 pm

Thank you for the PM, Elizabeth. I have sent you a reply.

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 9:36 pm

Panchocat wrote:Thank you for the PM, Elizabeth. I have sent you a reply.

No message came through, sorry

Panchocat · Post by **Panchocat** » Thu 14 Jul 2016 10:01 pm

Sent it again, but in case it fails the gist was thanking you as we now know to avoid it with our dog phobic friend.

frontalman · Post by **frontalman** » Fri 15 Jul 2016 9:50 am

We were in a seaside restaurant one afternoon in Bogaz a few years back happily surrounded by about 8 cats who we were dropping scraps to as you do. Eventually when we left, Sally discovered that her Louis Vuitton bag strap had been chewed to bits unknowingly by one of the cats. It was a good few years old and a Famagusta rip-off so we weren't that bothered - bless 'em!

flowerfairy · Post by **flowerfairy** » Fri 15 Jul 2016 3:58 pm

I don't quite know what's happening, but I've answered twice on this thread, and it's gone missing, any ideas please?

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Fri 15 Jul 2016 4:11 pm

flowerfairy wrote:I don't quite know what's happening, but I've answered twice on this thread, and it's gone missing, any ideas please?

No!

You might as well just say your piece, rather than trying to unravel the mysteries of the internet

Just saying!

(I do love that phrase!

)

Post by **Soner** » Fri 15 Jul 2016 5:21 pm

Flowerfairy,
If you have a long post, then copy before submitting, if you do not get confirmation after submitting then paste and resubmit.

flowerfairy · Post by **flowerfairy** » Fri 15 Jul 2016 6:22 pm

Thank you Soner, I did that the second time, and still it didn't work.
I think maybe it's for the best, I could have had a few recriminations, my view wasn't that important. I'd rather spend my time enjoying, than getting into yet another debate.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Sat 16 Jul 2016 7:44 am

Other European countries allow dogs in many places including large shops and it is a joy to behold.
I have a dog who goes with me (as many people know). I would not tie her to railings as she would bark non stop. And all my animals go where they like in the house.
Conversely my daughter was married to a welsh farmer who would not allow the dog past the porch. So everyone has different ideas but, but, but responsible owners of dogs and cats ensure their pets are healthy and no risk to anyones health.
As to behavior in restaurants we were at a Christmas lunch ruined by a party of brits who imbibed a little too much alcohol,sang lustily and who suddenly seemed deaf due to the increased volume of their speaking voices! How come that is more publicly acceptable than my well behaved dog ?
Why do people think 'cur'when it comes to dogs instead of 'family'.
Anyone who thinks I am totally out of order is welcome to fund my moving to italy or francexxx
(Edited for reasons of a misbehaving androids text)

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Sat 16 Jul 2016 9:18 am

English might help Marion, or did Stanley Unwin write it for you

ailletoo · Post by **ailletoo** » Sat 16 Jul 2016 10:45 am

English might help Marion, or did Stanley Unwin write it for you

How Rude!!!! I thought this thread was about the Pros and Cons of dogs in Restaurants, Having a snide go at someone because they are a victim of predictive text is not in context and tell me, how does it contribute to the discussion?

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Sat 16 Jul 2016 11:05 am

It was meant to be humour, not rude, Marion is well used to such remarks and takes them in the spirit in which they are meant.

PS, it was not predictive text, she just types too fast

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Sat 16 Jul 2016 11:33 am

And her finger nails are too long! Sorry Marion, only joshing!

tutor4u · Post by **tutor4u** » Sat 16 Jul 2016 1:53 pm

Having read All of the responses on this thread, I feel very strongly about this issue, 2 things ,
1) its the restaurants responsibility to refuse to have the dog within the restaurant, Not fair to the dog.
2) As a customer I have rights too, I have the right to have a meal in the setting that I have chosen, the ambience, is all. If there is a musical performer at the restaurant , I can attend or not that is MY choice.
Lastly as a customer you could always complain, and or walk.
I also have two dogs, who are better behaved than lots of people I have known young or old as neither of them drink alcohol.

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Sat 16 Jul 2016 4:06 pm

tutor4u, so "no hair of the dog" then?

£eagle · Post by **£eagle** » Sat 16 Jul 2016 6:06 pm

Whether it is barking dogs, unhygienic children, drunk Brits or whatever else, restaurants are public places with a specific social function. We should expect there to be customers of all sensibilities and act appropriately for that social environment ourselves. What might be OK on the football terrace or night club is not OK in Church etc etc ad nauseam.

Mozgor · Post by **Mozgor** » Sat 03 Sep 2016 6:54 am

elizabeth wrote:
ailletoo wrote:I agree with Moyra, I would much rather see a dog in a restaurant than an undisciplined child.........
I always find the comparison between children and dogs totally ridiculous, not many children that I have seen have fleas, shed hair, or lick their meat and two veg while people are trying to enjoy a meal and an evening out.

From the annoyance factor, when trying to enjoy a meal, there is no comparison I agree, unruly children are far worse than any animal could ever be.

As for the fleas, shed hair, licking meat and two veg, personally none of those would bother me that much. Humans shed hair, have found hair in my restaurant food on more than one occasion. Fleas, well they don't bother me as animals that don't have homes can't avoid them. Meat and two veg licking, well you have me there, certainly haven't seen any children doing that, but have seen just as disgusting parallels!

So I suppose drawing comparisons is all a matter of perspective really?

Moyra

TB10pilot · Post by **TB10pilot** » Sat 03 Sep 2016 7:40 am

Totally agree with reply no 4 !

wondering1 · Post by **wondering1** » Sat 03 Sep 2016 8:05 am

Mozgor wrote:I know I will get shot down in flames, but I feel exactly the same way about children in restaurants when their parents don't control them.

Would much rather see a dog, but that's just me.

Moyra

Shot to flames? I couldn't agree with you more!

If a family arrives on a table near me my heart sinks, preparing for a wasted evening out which will just be me trying not to show my annoyance to the rest of my table at the annoying baby/child (provided they are loud and disruptive) and it really doesn't make any difference if the parents try to stop them if they do not succeed, lol, the intention does not suffice.

come_on_aylin · Post by **come_on_aylin** » Sat 03 Sep 2016 10:39 am

You should be thankful for the invention of the internet and tablets, rarely do we eat out these days without coming across a whole family each totally engrossed in surfing the internet. Tends to keep them very quiet...

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Sun 04 Sep 2016 4:04 pm

At Silver Rocks today we had to put up with two screaming banshees, being smiled at by the whole of the family and encouraged by two obvious grandparents who could see no wrong. I cast my mind back many years and not only would my grandchildren have behaved in such a manner, I most certainly wouldn't have tolerated it as their Grandparent. This on top of obscenely fat people stuffing their faces as if food was about to go out of fashion and others drinking straight from the bottle. Is this what eating out in the UK is like these days. Back to animals in restaurants, give me the dogs any time. Both their and their owners behaviour in public is preferable.

WotNoDeeds · Post by **WotNoDeeds** » Sun 04 Sep 2016 5:26 pm

Dogs in restaurants ! absolutely NOT ( except guide dogs)

jimm · Post by **jimm** » Sun 04 Sep 2016 6:01 pm

I agree dogs should not be in restaurants, but children should be taught to be quite in restaurants as well

woodspeckie · Post by **woodspeckie** » Sun 04 Sep 2016 7:28 pm

"Is this what eating out in the UK is like these days"

Why ask that? You are in North Cyprus, were they tourists or ex-pats.

blueparrot · Post by **blueparrot** » Mon 05 Sep 2016 8:25 am

Sophie, I am afraid the answer to your question is yes.

That is what eating in many UK restaurants is like now as well, at least in London: people (adults and children) do not behave well. Unless of course the restaurant is very expensive (I mean VERY expensive, Michelin star standard) and the owner cannot afford to let that happen.

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Thu 15 Sep 2016 5:21 pm

"the law is no dogs, obviously implemented under British law"

Best comment on this thread so far! Very Colonel Hathi's March! "Now Winifred Old girl!"

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Fri 16 Sep 2016 7:37 am

It may be noteworthy that there is no law prohibiting dogs from being in premises where food is served either in the UK or under EU law.

I have no problem with dogs or children in restaurants so long as they are well behaved. Cats are another thing, they jump on the tables having buried worm ridden god knows what with their paws, no thank you.

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sat 17 Sep 2016 8:30 pm

I meant not to get into a "dog post" again, but two things are bothering me about this one.

Firstly Elizabeth has not said whether the Restaurant was indoors out out. To me it makes a world of difference - I dont believe in any animals (except guide dogs) inside other than ones own home. There are too many people with health problems affected by animal hair etc. Outside is a different matter - I see no objection if the dog can be tied to a railing at the edge of the eating area with the owners between it and other customers if it does not disturb others.

Secondly there has been a lot of comment about hygiene , but as I understand it Elizabeth's complaint was actually about the noise nuisance. This is a bigger problem for dog owners as there may be genuine reasons for not leaving it at home - including fear of poison. Barking dogs are often an embarrassment to their owners. It is largely a matter of training, but that takes time, and again is a case where I think more help and consideration should be given to those who care for stray dogs.

Personally I like to leave my dogs in the car when it is cool enough, but this does mean finding a restaurant with parking near enough for me to be able to see and hear if the dogs get into trouble and they are increasingly few and far between. I also have a system whereby I can leave the hatchback open and the dogs on a long lead so they can decided if they want to be inside our out.However again I near to be near so that I can intervene if they decided to strangle themselves, also I dont trust the standard of expat parking near drinking establishments not to run over them!

I agree with Johnny about cats. Most people who care enough to take a dog out with them socially, will have had it protected against disease and parasites. Unfortunately a lot of people feed stray cats without consideration for the risk to to others of the health problems of a feral animal.

jofra · Post by **jofra** » Sun 18 Sep 2016 1:27 pm

Ragged Robin wrote:I meant not to get into a "dog post" again, but two things are bothering me about this one.

Firstly Elizabeth has not said whether the Restaurant was indoors or out.... - I see no objection if the dog can be tied to a railing at the edge of the eating area with the owners between it and other customers if it does not disturb others.

This seems to be as Elizabeth said in her first post - "The group sat at a table at the edge of the restaurant and one of them went and tied the dog to the other side of the railings.
Throughout the meal the dog barked constantly preventing any conversation or relaxation and spoiling the evening....."

And as you also say, the problem apparently related to the noise and disturbance rather than hygiene ....

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Mon 19 Sep 2016 10:05 am

I thought this was a thread about vulgar tattooed, body-pierced, bleach-blond, over-weight ladies in skin-tight clothes shouting their heads-off and drunk....

Rather see a nice Labrador than any of that....

i'll get my coat.....

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Mon 19 Sep 2016 7:14 pm

Groucho wrote:I thought this was a thread about vulgar tattooed, body-pierced, bleach-blond, over-weight ladies in skin-tight clothes shouting their heads-off and drunk....

Rather see a nice Labrador than any of that....

i'll get my coat.....

And also about their equally tattooed and drunken male partners, with a builders' cleavage behind and a massive beer belly in front and heads either shaved of few remaining strands of hair, or sporting "pony tails" only acceptable on someone half their age.

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Mon 19 Sep 2016 8:54 pm

"Off side"!

Oh no, sorry, that would be "Off Topic"

You naughty person, RR !!!!

<edit> and Groucho, obviously!

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Mon 19 Sep 2016 9:10 pm

"And if I laugh at any mortal thing, 'tis that I may not weep" (Lord Byron)

jofra · Post by **jofra** » Mon 19 Sep 2016 9:15 pm

Ragged Robin wrote: And also ........ with a builders' cleavage behind and a massive beer belly in front and head with a few remaining strands of hair.......

Interestingly enough, this perfectly describes someone I worked with twenty years ago - but she was of the (nominally) feminine gender. Nevertheless, she could (and did, when necessary) "take out" any obstreperous/objectionable yobbo (regardless of size) without blinking an eye, and in all other aspects of her job, she was excellent - in the old parlance, she "knew the job", and got her hands dirty - not a modern-day "theorist".
All of us/those who had the pleasure/honour of working with her remember her fondly....
Unfortunately, few who match RR's description match her....

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Tue 20 Sep 2016 8:36 am

I absolutely hate sitting eating in a restaurant with cats and dogs whether they be begging, yapping or sitting quietly, I find it totally unacceptable so I vote with my feet and leave.

The only dogs that should be allowed in restaurants are of course those for the blind and disabled.

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