What's the deal with dogs allowed into Bunnings?

Love dogs, but should they really be allowed into Bunnings. Just saying.

When I had a dog she was either left home or tied to a pole outside if I needed to go into a store.

Today wasn't hot and you can always carry some water for your pet.

I'm not talking about assistance animals as they are obviously allowed, so owners can get around.

Bunnings have already had to pay medical costs for a child being attacked by a dog in store.

Poll to end this Sunday.

Poll Options expired

  • 625
    Dog's are ok to be let into Bunnings.
  • 565
    Dog's shouldn't be allowed into Bunnings.

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Comments

  • +65

    Dogs are more well behaved than majority of ratbag kids I see running around Bunnings most of the time.

    • +17

      Is there an option to ban kids from stores?

      • Only if we can leave them in the car or drop them off in a ball pit

        • +1

          Being serious though "Only if we can leave them in the car" would cause more issues…. at least most people can leave the dog unattended at home…. Probably the best aspect of some peoples jobs are not dealing with kids :P

    • +1

      100% agree.

  • Bunnings allowing pets in their shops are a liability. Their public liability insurance should cover them in case of someone getting mauled. Their insurer will cancel the policy the moment it gets too expensive to settle.

    • Pretty sure they are self insured for liability claims.

      • They probably paid out of their own pockets. Let's see what they do next time that someone gets their face bitten off.

        As a result, Bunnings agreed to pay all medical costs and then introduced a new policy on dogs.

        • +2

          Let's see what they do next time that someone gets their face bitten off.

          Probably sue the dog's owner, since the dog should have been on a lead and muzzled, according to the store policy posted by Hybroid.

  • +11

    I don't see the problem in a place like Bunnings, as long as dog is under control and not barking, growling, or doing any other threatening behavior.

    • +2

      And who is going to be policing dog behaviour inside the store if there are 40 of them at a time and half of them start growing? Just too much headache to deal with. Better to leave the dogs outside.

      • +3

        So presumably half of them are growing puppies and the other half adult dogs

      • so they will all growl outside? Random people will touch them or even steal them? no thanks

        • No, they don't growl. They grow. Suddenly, when they are at Bunnings. ;)

    • Until it pisses or shits….

      • A bit of piss or poo on products will lead to a significant discount.

        Nice slip hazard too…. Just like the onion under the snag scenario etc

    • +2

      I think it depends on the area, on s gentrified suburb, the customers might bring their friendly behaved lapdogs, but in a fringe suburb the locals might bring an unleashed unmuzzled pitbull-crossbreed, leading to many other customers taking their business elsewhere.

  • +34

    I love dogs but don’t think they should be allowed in Bunnings or any other store unless it is for assistance.
    Why does anyone need to bring their dog to Bunnings? It’s a place of business, not only do the customers have a right to not have to deal with random pets but also employees.
    I work in many peoples homes for my job and require anyone with a viscous looking dog or anything that I couldn’t easily defend myself against to restrain them while I am working. I think it’s fair to expect a business not to allow pets in, people in general are bad enough.

    • +21

      I have to agree… Too many irresponsible dog owners, uneducated dogs, or just normal dogs who bark and smell… and Bunnings is not a pet shop.

      • +4

        Yeah, I refuse to have a dog unless they have at least a Bachelor's degree.

        • +2

          I mean… you can have a dog without Bachelor's degree if you are educated and know that Bunnings is not the place for them.

          You might be able to make a good decision and your dog might be well behaved, but I can imagine the chaos at Bunnings when one dog barks hysterically to another dog, who sees a threat and decide to defend himself by biting the other dog or its/his/her owner. Then someone will say "I'm sorry, that has never happened before", and you have a traumatised dog and an angry person. If people took responsibility for their dogs, I'd be all for allowing them everywhere. What I see, however, is that every time I go for a walk with my dog I have to be careful not to step on shit, and I have to stay away from aggressive dogs. At the park, some owners just leave their dogs free to mount on other dogs.

          Similarly, people can have children without bachelor's degree, but that doesn't mean they should take the children everywhere; some places might not be appropriate for children and/or dogs.

        • +1

          Cats are automatically awarded Master’s Degrees at birth. Are they allowed to bring their feeders into Bunnings?

    • +21

      Viscous dogs are really hard to defend against and handle. They are too slippery.

      • +3

        Only a problem when you're in the thick of it.

      • +1

        Haha clearly I have been spelling that word wrong for years

  • -3

    Bunnings sell bags of manure and stuff don't they, blood and bone, all sorts. Can't be worse or better than a dog walking around the place.

    • Cats are in blood and bone…. Are you recommending that dogs be included?

    • Bags of manure aren't going to snap at you and bite your arm off. Besides, don't forget the fruits and vegetables that you relish is grown with this very manure.

  • Blaming the child for getting bitten. That sounds about right.
    https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/bunnings-under-…

  • +4

    Plot twist

    Today there was a dog at a Gold Coast Bunnings that got caught at the end of the escalator. Rushed across the road to the Vets and had to have a toe amputated.

    bunnings dog

    Discuss….

    • +2

      Escalators should be banned in Bunnings. Never seen one in the two dozen Bunnings stores I’ve been in around the country.

      • +4

        Newer Bunnings are raised with the parking under cover.

        • +1

          This - especially if close to a Stratco…

        • The new store at Bonnyrigg NSW has that set up. Their FB page has an image of it if really interested.

      • There's one in Perth with an escalator

      • Bunnings Alexandria, Greenacre.

      • +5

        I am a (very responsible) dog owner. My dog is amazing, doesn't bark, does 1 and 2 at the right places, has never threatened or bitten any other creature in the world. I still wouldn't take him to Bunnings because that is not a place for dogs (or children). If I did take him to any place with an escalator, I would not let him use the escalator and then blame the place for having escalators; that's just ridiculous. What's next? Walking the dog on the street and complaining when the dog is hit by a car? The dog is not supposed to be there as he is not supposed to be free to use the escalator, particularly such a small dog that could easily be carried. This lady was irresponsible and wanted to transfer her guilt to someone else.

        Escalators are not the problem. They are useful, practical, help with accessibility without causing long queues.

        • Escalators are not the problem, but no risks should be taken with them. Animals and kids should be appropriately handled in using them. Carry both if possible, as many accidents have happened over the years through negligence…

    • +8

      Well behaved dogs are fine, people are stupid. That's all.

    • +1

      No sensible person would put a dog on an escalator.

    • Who should be for the vet bill? The owner or Bunnings?

      • They shouldn't have to but I believe Bunnings will fund most (if not all).

        The only reason Bunnings should be responsible is if there were maintenance issues that were neglected (but if that were true it would probably be dangerous to anyone using the escalator).

    • +1

      Of course, someone else should pay.

      https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/pets/gold-coast-bunnings-shop…

      Lisa Sinclair is hoping Bunnings will pay for her Chihuahua Chelsea’s vet bills after she was “seriously injured” at the Burleigh Waters store on Saturday.

      • +2

        Lisa Sinclair is a moron who failed to take responsibility for those in her care.

        • +1

          Agreed, Chelsea deserves better

      • It always somebody else's fault

        /Me rolls eyes

    • The owner should have their reproductive part amputated. If you control a dog you look out for it to be safe!

  • +7

    From my experience, children in Bunnings are worse than allowing dogs.

    • +1

      Haha… That's true, but not something we can say or write… The same for tenants… Children can be more destructive and definitely noisier than my lazy dog, but landlords can't force tenants to move because of a baby or crying children.

      Having said that, many dog owners are irresponsible and can't live in society. They don't control their dogs, don't collect the waste, and don't care if their dog is being annoying or aggressive. The same observations apply to parents. 🙄

  • +7

    I miss Seinfeld

  • +1

    My brother takes his cat on a leash to Bunnings. People are fawning all over the animal as it sits in the trolley. Don't know what happens when doggy meets kitty in Bunnings though.

    • Likely nothing will happen.

    • -5

      And then the cat hair in the trolley gets transferred to other people's products, taken home and shared around… How nice for the people allergic to such

      • +1

        Human hair can be just as worse(no offence, but typically long female hair) as that seems to coil around bars and anything it can latch on.

        Source: Love cats, have bad allergies with them. Human hair in long strands regularly stuck in my face(Can cause irritation/itchiness, maybe caused by dandruff or other issues!?) Cleaning items such as dishwashers and finding them thoroughly entangled with human hair in the filters and having to tear them off as I try to get rid of them…. This is why food venues typically have chefs/kitchen staff with hair nets…..

    • Well, if you flash your fury cat everywhere it's bound to get attention

    • I used to work with that guy….they're probably tamer than a lot of dogs to be honest, uses them as therapy pets in old folks homes, hires them out for weddings, all sorts.

  • +11

    In Europe, you can pretty much take your dogs anywhere e.g. lecture theatre, cafes, trains, buses etc. As long as the dogs are not aggressive trying to bite people, what bother you that much that dogs should not be allowed in a shop ? I treat my dog as my fur baby. I will much prefer my baby to go everywhere with me rather than left alone in the car or tied outside the shop risking being stolen. I would love my dog to help me choose as well when I can't make up my mind. People love to say hello to my fur baby when I'm in the shop. This actually creates a more social friendly environment and encourage people to linger in the shop longer.

    • +5

      Dog helping you choose is pretty weird

      • +3

        woof bite this man who doubts my ability to choose woof

    • What kind of things does your dog help you choose?

      • +1

        Kennel

    • +1

      In Europe? Which countries exactly? I have not seen any pets in the stores that I have been to in the 12 or so countries I visited….

      • Dogs are treated better than people in Italy

        • Paid better too then most people

      • Pretty sure dogs are allowed into many bars and cafe's in the UK

      • I've seen dogs in supermarket, restaurants, etc. in Switzerland.

      • When i was in France common in retail stores like Zara etc to see dogs in

    • +8

      In Europe, you can pretty much take your dogs anywhere

      In Europe, everything also reeks of dog piss. Take a stroll through Montmartre in summer and try not to gag.

      I treat my dog as my fur baby.

      That's your issue. It's an animal. It's not a service animal.

      rather than left alone in the car or tied outside the shop risking being stolen

      If only there were some other place you could leave it. Maybe the same place you store your other stuff. A sort of "house", if you will.

      I would love my dog to help me choose as well when I can't make up my mind.

      Damn I think I just got trolled, nice one.

    • Depends where you go! Many places who charge entry fees also charge a child fee if the dog is above a certain size and is not carried all the time. And people do not mind paying!

  • +6

    Some people seem to be using Bunnings as a day out for their pets. Personally, I would prefer that shopping carts hadn't been carting around various animals prior to me using it.

    • +6

      Hygiene seems to be overlooked by many of these owners of so-called furbabies. Hand sanitiser used due to Covid then stick a slobbering dog licking its backside into the trolley.

      • A dog's saliva is slightly antibacterial. I don't know if it's effective against viruses but I don't see a hygiene problem with dogs licking the trolleys.

        • It's not like dogs are actively licking the trolleys anyway.

        • I know there was a study that indicated a slight antibacterial property but this study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5319273/ ) also shows -

          "Dogs are a major reservoir for zoonotic infections. Dogs transmit several viral and bacterial diseases to humans. Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted to human by infected saliva, aerosols, contaminated urine or feces and direct contact with the dog. Viral infections such as norovirus and bacterial infections including Pasteurella, Salmonella, Brucella, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter, Capnocytophaga, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira, Staphylococcus intermedius and Methicillin resistance staphylococcus aureus are the most common viral and bacterial zoonotic infections transmitted to humans by dogs. "

          By the way, you will also find human saliva has similar antibacterial properties but I'm pretty sure not many would be happy to have human drool in their trolley either.

          • @Grunntt: I'm sorry if anyone would be offended by this (disclaimer: I lived most of my life in a country where Islam is the main religion too) but this looks like a study conducted to confirm Islamic countries' dominant view of "dogs are dirty". It lists a bunch of threats but does not discuss the probability of contracting a disease from a dog. Is it 10%? 1%? 0.001%

            My quick Google search could not find a scientific study, but here is a semi-credible source:

            https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/zoonotic-diseases-in-…

            Current evidence supports the fact that pet dogs pose a minimal zoonotic risk to their human companions. Risk may be slightly higher in people with a compromised immune system from disease or medication […]

  • Do they crap in the aisles & piss on the stock (particularly garden section)?

    • That's the whole idea….. More slips and discounted items with poo smeared over it or yellow pee stains

  • +10

    I always take my dog if I’m going to Bunnings, the biggest issue is people stopping me to pet him. I think owners should be liable, for any breakages or injuries not Bunnings. I think that 99% of owners know their dogs and should be allowed to make a common sense call but deal with the consequences if they arise

    • +2

      It's the 1% if owners that don't take responsibility that I am concerned about.

    • +3

      I don’t believe 99% of owners their dogs or how to handle them.
      In general people don’t have common sense or courtesy, this is why I don’t think pets should be allowed in shops. Dog owners aren’t any worse than the rest of the population it’s just the people in general set a pretty low bar.
      Had multiple dogs and love playing with them, just don’t think we need them in shops.

  • +7

    I have never seen a badly behaved dog in Bunnings. They have all been well behaved and under their owner’s control.

    • +3

      Trust me, there’s been many.

  • +6

    Dog houses need work and maintenance too.
    Rufus is working on a deck for his doghouse, where else would he buy the supplies?

  • +2

    taking a dog into bunnings is a potential recipe for disaster

    just another prime example of common sense not being common enough in this country

    • +5

      Stupid people are also a recipe for disaster. Look at whats happening in the USA.

      Responsible people, who are thinking of others, will rarely have any issues taking their dog into Bunnings.
      I've never had or seen any issues with dogs in Bunnings.

      I have had trolleys hit me as people can't be bothered to say excuse me to let me know they need to get past and just push past anyway. Then there are people who think blocking an aisle to have a chat is also perfectly fine.

  • -1

    They now need a section for doggy play

    • I thought aisle 14 is there already for that reason….

    • That’s at stores where it has aisle 69. ;)

  • I suppose I could enlist a "sniffer dog" to hunt down and find "some one" who works there… they must scour the cctv looking which isles to dodge so as to NOT run into customers

    • +1

      If you train the dog well enough they could find the items you are looking for instead.

      • Need to petition Bunnings for uniform aisle sorting across stores so doggo can do its job properly. Would be too difficult for it to remember each stores layout, otherwise.

  • +3

    There are people who hate dogs because thier religion says and not because they hate dogs. They prefer cats instead which they don't goes out or they need to be tag with leash.

    Domesticated dogs are gentle and part of family and they do enjoy walking with you at Bunnings and they enjoy going around. Also many of them are well disciplined and they don't dirty the ground.

    Previously Bunnings used to allow Dogs on leased but now they insist that we carry them in our trolley.

    I agree that owner should be responsible for their dog behavior and if they cant control thier dogs then they should not bring them alongwith them. but because of one person we should not punished people in general.

    • You are permitted to have a dog walk on a leash if it is muzzled.

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