[NAGDU] Publix Has A Dog Problem

Mon Mar 19 04:52:02 UTC 2018

Hi, Ginger and All,

Publix may have a dog problem, but I'm not sure that the writer of this
article has it pegged correctly. I've never heard of fresh produce becoming
infested with fleas. Is this really a risk? And while having a pet urinate
or defecate just feet from the food you're thinking of buying may be an
unpleasant and unappetizing experience, I doubt that it actually affects the
quality of the food, although it certainly may affect the quality of the
shopping experience. I wonder why the writer chose to focus on things like
fleas when there are much more relevant issues that could be pointed out,
like animals sniffing/slobbering on food or food packaging, animal hairs
getting into the food, animals jumping on, growling at, or biting people,
and effects on people with allergies, fears, or phobias of dogs.

This being said, Publix doesn't have any need to follow the airlines example
and start demanding documentation of vaccination or training of their pets
from people who want to bring pets into their stores. Instead, Publix should
simply have a "No Pets" policy, and they should enforce it. In fact, I would
think that health regulations require that they do this. They should also
obey the ADA by modifying their "No Pets" policy to permit people with
disabilities accompanied by trained service animals to have full access to
their stores' goods and services. They can ask the two allowed questions to
determine whether an animal is or is not a service animal for a disabled
person. And if any animal, whether or not it is a trained service animal,
shows behavior which threatens the health or safety of others, and the
handler of that animal does not take action to get the animal under control,
then the animal, but not the person, can be excluded from the store.

It's not clear what the motivation of the writer is in bringing up this
issue. But perhaps the best way to address this writer's concerns would be
for a local Boca Raton service animal handler to write a letter to the news
source explaining the logical and legal solution to the problem. And perhaps
the local NAGDU chapter or members could reach out to Publix management and
inform them of their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Ann

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ginger Kutsch via
NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2018 5:26 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Ginger Kutsch
Subject: [NAGDU] Publix Has A Dog Problem

Publix Has A Dog Problem 

Source: http://bocanewsnow.com/2018/03/17/publix-has-a-dog-problem/

by bocanews     

If you shop in Publix, know that dogs apparently do, too.

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) - Airlines are finally stopping the
insanity of permitting pets on planes unless their owners can prove the pets
have been vaccinated and trained. It's time for Publix to do the same.

The photo above, taken at the Publix at Clint Moore and 441 earlier this
week, shows a man with a dog on a leash - roaming aisles like it's a park.

But it's not a park. It's a place where there is food. Fresh food. Sometimes
unwrapped food. Food that people would like to eat without being infested
with fleas, or would like access to without fearing a four legged animal
urinated or defacated in the aisle just feet away.

There is no reason that a dog needs to be walked in a Publix. There is no
reason that someone must shop for food with a dog. This is not a legitimate
service animal helping someone who is visually impaired. This is a pet.

If Delta airlines can tell passengers that they must provide proof of
vaccination, training and medical need days before a flight, there is no
reason that Publix can't do the same.

And for those crazy people who believe that dogs have a right to be wherever
humans are, we call Bullshiatzu.

                Publix Has A Dog Problem 

Source: http://bocanewsnow.com/2018/03/17/publix-has-a-dog-problem/

by bocanews     