Leaving dogs outside shops/cafes

[Goofy35]

Hi. We have a dog but hubbie and I disagree on whether or not it is OK to take your dog out for the day but leave it tied up outside a cafe for half an hour, say, whilst you have lunch. We have a great locking lead gadget to prevent dog-theft so as far as I'm concerned that should be OK. The great thing is the dog gets a day out and about with us rather than being left at home. But my hubbie thinks it's cruel to leave dog outside shop/cafe. What do you think?

[paddywak]

I have to agree with your hubby, Max goes almost every where with me & is never left by himself, not only is there a danger of theft (tho i dont think any body would be daft enough to try & steal a full grown GSD) but nothing looks so sad as a dog sitting staring at a door wandering why his boss has deserted him

[lankeela]

Visit the Dog Lost website to see how many dogs are stolen from outside shops or from cars in supermarket car parks etc. http://www.doglost.co.uk - visit it anyway to see how many dogs are missing! Please sign up as a 'doglost helper' and you will be emailed details of any dogs missing in your area.

I would not leave a dog unattended anywhere for any length of time.

I would not eat at a cafe/pub unless I could sit outside with my dog.

In France everyone takes their dogs into shops/cafes/bars.

[Ethel]

The law clearly states that all dogs in public places must be kept under control.

Leaving a dog on a lead is not keeping him under control - it is simply keeping him tethered.

[jules77]

No way would I leave mine - if you want a day out with your dog, take a picnic, or get a takeaway!!

[Bellringer]

If they don't allow our mutt in then we go elswhere. I hasten to add there is nothing worse than an uncontrolled dog in a pub or similar, and such animals should be barred. Our local regularly has 4 or 6 dogs in, but they all behave themselves.
Don't tie yours up outside, you'll go back one day & he'll be gone.

[Angleflame]

I agree with all these people.

You should never, ever leave a dog tied up outside a shop or cafe. How would you like to be tied up outside a shop or cafe for half an hour, just sitting there, not knowing if your owner is going to come back.

Just the same as you should never leave a dog in a car. Especially on a hot day. Even with the windows open, it only takes 20 minutes for a dog to die in a hot car. It's tantamount to cooking it live.

As for not thinking anyone would pinch your dog.......it's not only the pedigrees that get stolen. Other dogs do....for ransom. It's a thriving trade these days, unfortunately, and they will smash your car windows to get at them. I have known of so many dogs that have been taken from their own gardens, so a dog outside a shop is easy prey.

Please, please..............don't do it

[kita1]

It is not just that someone may steal him, what if another dog attacks him? He cannot get away. There are some really nice people around who would set a couple of Staffies onto a tethered dog without a second thought!

Also someone could give him poisoned meat etc.

Any child could run up and stroke him - if he bit the child (or if the child says he did) how could you argue in your dogs defence if you did not see the incident?

I would never leave a dog in a car nowadays, in case someone stole the car with the dog in it.

Remember - not everyone is a dog lover! Don't take the chance.

[ELVIS68]

It`s not a crime to leave your dog indoors while you go out for lunch, dogs like peace and quiet as much as we do but i would advise you not to tie it up outside a shop, especially a chinese restaurant!

[ruby27]

To disagree with the other posters, I have tied my dog outside a shop, (and will do again) where if someone was trying to steal him and her I would have taken some action. No I was some distance away but then someone can steal my dogs if so inclined every time I am out walking them off the lead.
My dogs do get left on their own in a variety of settings but I console myself with the fact they are still having a better life than when they were left alone most of the time in the rescue centre

[leelapops]

Hi Goofy.
For all the above reasons, I would agree with the majority on this posting.


My dog is very nervous, and I won't even tie him outside the newsagent if I go for a paper! He comes with us whenever he can, or he stays home. He is NOT child-friendly, and I am not willing to risk his life and my heart if anything was to happen.
Does the "locking lead gadget" also fix to his collar? Or could someone unclip it and take your dog away loose without his lead?

Not everyone is trustworthy, or, as has been said, animal-loving. I know that some people wouldn't hesitate to approach a lone dog with the deliberate intention of hurting it.

I don't think it's a day out for the dog if it has to spend all its time waiting while you do what you're doing. If you can plan your day so you will be visiting doggy-friendly places, that's cool. If not, plan it so you don't leave your dog at home alone for too long.

lol @ jules77-that's usually our way round it!

And yes, so many dogs taken even from their own homes. Why heighten the risk?

Would you tie up a child outside a shop while you went in?

Hate to say it, but your hubby is right *lol*

Lisa x

[missrandom]

completely random, but most people here aggree that you should never leave a dog outside a cafe/shop etc, but pop over to parenting and the'll all merrily leave their kids and read you the riot act if you criticise the McCann parents.

[leelapops]

missrandom, that's appalling isn't it. What they did defies belief, yet the Media have turned it into a drama, with her parents as the heroes. What they did is unjustifiable. If I had done that, I would request to be locked up personally!

Not to divert attention from Goofy35's question...

Lisa x

[Immi666]

gotta agree with everyone else. if u wanna take the dog on a day out, get a picnic or a takeaway like jules said. not fair to take the dog then tie it up for half an hour.

[tattoo1094]

Im sorry to tell you this but a couple of weeks ago in bristol where i live a collie cross was tethered on a lamp post. Two youths attacked him with petrol and set him on fire, the dog is lucky enough to be still alive but is fighting for his life.There are alot of people around like this in your area too,you would nt leave your purse unattended so please do not leave your loved ones unattended either.
all the best

[jules77]

I really feel for the Mc Cann's, and obviously poor Madeleine, if she is not found they have to live with this for the rest of their life - and explain it to her siblings - the only positive thing I can think of is that she was stolen to order, and someone very wealthy who really wanted a child will look after her, and never leave her alone like they did. Sorry Goofy for hijacking your thread, just wanted to get that off my chest !

[tiggerwoo]

Absolutely agree with the majority....never ever leave your dog tied up outside a shop.I spend alot of time fussing these dogs when I see them because I feel so sorry for them.I am an animal lover and can never understand why these people think that no harm will come to their dogs when tied up.As far as Macanns go....I think people care for their dogs and cats better than these two did for their little children.And it's true....say that on postings and you get jumped on straightaway for sitting in judgement of them...but surely no rightminded person would have done what they did and then expect us all to feel sorry for them.Feel sorry fo poor Maddy and pray for her safe return.