Only service animals should be allowed in stores that sell food

To the editor:

When did it become OK for people to bring dogs into stores other than pet stores?

These are not service or therapy dogs that I am talking about. Recently, I went to a local family restaurant and, to my shock, they seated a man with his full-grown, large dog. Yes, the dog was on a leash, but this was also somewhere that they are preparing and serving food.

This was not a service animal, either. Obviously, the dog was a regular because the waitress called him by name and petted it often while taking orders and serving food (I hope she was washing her hands). This was done with no regard to others eating in the booths around him.

No, I am not a dog hater. I have a rescue dog that goes everywhere we go, though I would never force others to deal with my animals in places they don’t belong.

Two days later I walked into Wal-Mart and here is a lady with her little dog in the basket. When did the local population start caring more for their dogs than their neighbors? Are they so ignorant that they don’t understand there are a lot of people allergic and, like most people, would expect local businesses to be animal free (unless they specialize in animal care or products)?

Just because they can be dressed up like little people doesn’t make them so. When are the businesses going to take into consideration people who may not want animal hair in their food? Have you ever seen a dog shake in the sun? Guess what flies off? Hair! Where do you think that hair is going? It goes along with the lack of courtesy people show their neighbors.

I can’t possibly be the only one who has seen this and is disgusted by it. I think businesses should be told that animals that are not service animals should not be allowed in stores that involve food in any way.

Dianna Michaelson

Wasilla