Bunnings shopper sparks dog debate after noticing 'disturbing trend'
One Bunnings shopper doesn't think dogs belong in in the hardware store, arguing it's 'not necessary'.
This long weekend, many Aussies may find themselves picking up a sausage and wandering the aisles of Bunnings — with or without a furry companion in tow. But after noticing a "disturbing trend", one shopper has reignited the debate about whether or not dogs belong in the hardware giant.
After witnessing 12 dogs in his local Bunnings store, Triple M Breakfast host Greg ‘Marto’ Martin was called to speak out, arguing that the trend of Aussies taking their beloved dogs everywhere with them from Bunnings to cafes should stop.
“I love dogs, but there’s a disturbing trend,” said Marto, who owns a kelpie named Ted and declared he doesn't take his pet to the shops with him. He argued it's "not necessary".
Bunnings has welcomed dogs into stores for over eight years as long as they are on a lead and under control. Despite the occasional toileting mishap, the retail giant previously told Yahoo that the joy it brings most shoppers outweighs the need to clean up a few messes.
Dogs 'don't like stopping' in Bunnings, radio host argues
Marto admitted that he thought it was a "great thing" when Bunnings introduced the policy. "I went, 'this will be interesting'," he said. But as uptake among pet-loving shoppers grew, he now argues that "dogs don't want or need to go," adding "we've got to stop all this."
"They don't like stopping, dogs like walking," he said.
"Dogs need love too," co-host Margaux Parker argued in defence of dogs in Bunnings.
One caller to the radio show said he witnessed a dog "walk down the end of an aisle, cock its leg on the water bottles and start p***inng on it."
"The lady didn't even end up clean it up," he said. "She just went on her way and left a little pile of p**s on the floor."
Meanwhile, another Bunnings shopper defended those who bring their dogs in-store after witnessing a woman trying out dog beds with her "little dog on a lead" and said "he was having the time of his life".
One self-professed "grumpy" tradie previously asked, “What’s the deal with all the people taking their dogs to Bunnings?”
"I get that it’s allowed, but I just don’t understand the logic behind anyone wanting to bring their dog to a hardware store." The person went on to say that they find dogs in the hardware store "irritating and stupid". He argued that it's "bad enough" to navigate slow people when buying supplies for work. "Now I find myself navigating around dogs," he said.
Bunnings weighs in on dog debate
Bunnings told Yahoo last year that they take a "common-sense" approach to welcoming dogs in stores.
"The feedback we receive shows that the vast majority of pet owners are respectful of other customers and our team when they’re in our stores," a spokesperson said.
If incidents do occur, dog owners are expected to clean up after their pets and staff provide poo bags and cleaning tools upon request.
"We work hard to make sure our stores are safe, welcoming environments for everyone... we encourage any customer to reach out to one of our team members if they see or experience something we should be aware of so we can resolve it on the spot," the spokesperson said.
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