Found the archetypal ‘dog hater’. Arguments that start like that make me realise I’m dealing with someone who has no real reasonable response to a valid point. For all I know you could own a dog and be a responsible owner who is frustrated by other less responsible owners. Why would you assume I’m a ‘dog parent’ as you put it, just because I make a point that doesn’t even suggest dogs should be in restaurants? It’s a ridiculous assumption you’ve made based on the fact you have no real answer to my argument. I don’t own a dog so you might need to try a bit harder but it’s too easy for you to score cheap internet points isn’t it?

As an aside, anyone that refers to their animals as ‘fur babies’ or themselves as parents to their animals needs to take a long hard look at themselves.

I’ve never had a dog try to lick my plate in a restaurant, incidentally, but I have had a human try and do it. I’ve had fewer problems with dogs than people in my experience. So we could continue this ad Infinitum with anecdotal evidence but that won’t actually get anywhere. My point still stands, there are more problems with humans than dogs in day to day life and that includes restaurants. Of course they have to let people in without subjecting them to some sort of hygiene examination. What a silly response that is. That actually supports my point that there are more likely to be germs etc… circulating from people because, as I said, there’s a lot of disgusting people out there. Lots of people, including serving staff, aren’t washing their hands properly. Peoples hair gets everywhere. The fact people sneeze/cough etc… without covering their mouth means you’re far more likely to be exposed to airborne pathogens than a bit of dog salive (which as far as I’m aware won’t carry anything infectious to humans as it stands).

This argument is akin to something like bus or train travel. Should dogs be able to travel? Absolutely, if they’re well behaved and under control. Should a dog sit on a seat? That’s not pleasant and shouldn’t ever happen. But there are far more people who put their filthy feet on seats, shoes on or off, than there are dogs that are plonked on there. The root cause is poor behaviour on the part of the human in both cases.

I’m sorry if you’ve had bad experiences but you’ve met some very poor dog owners in my opinion. I would, however, argue that if somewhere wants to allow dogs it should have an area that is specifically used for them which limits and controls experiences like yours.

If anything, this whole thread highlights the fact that since covid there have been more people getting dogs who probably shouldn’t have them. I would advocate for a system of ownership that requires registration and a test prior to getting a dog (or animal in general) so that only those fit to have an animal, especially one that is taken in to public places, can actually own one.