Pet policy gone wrong? One shopper calls out Bunnings for this major problem!
- Replies 44
A quick trip to Bunnings, the popular Australian hardware store, is a common activity for many Aussies.
Some shoppers would love to bring their furry friends to accompany them during their shopping spree.
However, a recent incident involving a large dog has sparked a heated debate about the store's pet policy.
A concerned father, who was shopping with his son at a Bunnings warehouse in Darwin's Coconut Grove, shared his distressing experience on social media.
He claimed that while browsing wood stains, a ‘big breed dog’ accompanying its owner snapped at his son. The aisle was so narrow that they had ‘no room to move’, and the dog's owner seemed indifferent to the incident.
The father's post slammed ‘entitled dog owners’, saying, 'What's with people casually walking around Bunnings with big dogs now?’
‘A big dog just snapped at my kid, and the owner didn't care—the sheer entitlement of dog owners.'
‘I was like, “Woah, what the h***”, and they just walked away like nothing happened...I had to yank my son backwards because the dog lunged towards him when he snapped.’
This incident has led to a broader discussion about Bunnings' pet policy, which has existed since 2015.
However, the father argued that animals can be unpredictable, making them a major liability and a 'recipe for disaster' for Bunnings.
Bunnings' Managing Director, Mike Schneider, responded to the incident.
‘Customers have been bringing their dogs into our stores for many years, and we often hear how much they enjoy the company of their pet while shopping with us,’ he said.
He added that dogs are allowed into the store if they are friendly, on a lead, and comply with the conditions of entry. The store relies on a common-sense approach from customers.
‘If customers ever have concerns about an experience they have [at] our store, we encourage them to ask one of our team members for assistance,' Schneider added.
However, this incident and others like it have led many to question whether Bunnings' pet policy is appropriate.
'Dogs do not belong at Bunnings or any other store except the pet store...drives me wild, especially the ones who have to sit in the trolley,' one person commented.
'I find the dog entitlement in Darwin out of control. People don't train their dogs, and they run wild all over the place. I mostly avoid Bunnings on the weekend. Over it,' another wrote.
A third said, 'I don't understand why Bunnings changed their rules to allow dogs on leash without a muzzle. Makes no sense.'
It is understood that Bunnings’ pet policy allows pets into its stores as long as they are carried, secured on a lead, or in a shopping trolley.
Another has proposed the introduction of a 'dog-free time slot' for customers who are afraid of dogs, have allergies, or do not want to shop alongside them.
The debate over Bunnings' pet policy isn't new.
Last year, a Bunnings worker pleaded with customers to stop bringing their dogs to the store, citing they ‘don’t get paid enough to clean up’ pee and poo.
‘Dear everyone who brings their dogs to Bunnings,’ they said on social media.
‘Please, stop. I don't get paid enough to clean up your dog's p*ss and sh*t.’
'If you can't train your dog to not pee indoors or simply don't care enough to carry poop bags, for the love of God, just don't bring your dogs to a literal shop.’
'I promise you, your pooch will be just fine at home. Go on a bush walk with them if they need the enrichment that bad. Sincerely, underpaid Bunnings worker.'
The worker's plea generated hundreds of comments, with many agreeing that pet owners should be more responsible.
'The amount of people that don't clean up after their dog in public is a joke. If they can't even be bothered to clean up dogs mess they shouldn't have a pet,' one said.
Another commented, 'When we do take our dogs with us to Bunnings, I always put them in a trolley with cardboard to sit on.
'I would never trust or even want them to walk around just on a lead. I'd be horrified if they peed or pooed in the store, and I would want to clean everything up if they somehow did.’
'I don't understand people who bring their dogs in knowing their dogs may p*ss or poo in store and not clean it up.’
Speaking of dogs, Bunnings was also recently under fire for finding something disconcerting in the pet aisle.
According to a Bunnings shopper, she said that this item was being sold dangerously close to pet products. Read more about the story here.
What do you think, members? Should Bunnings revise its pet policy, or is it up to pet owners to ensure their animals behave appropriately in the store? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Some shoppers would love to bring their furry friends to accompany them during their shopping spree.
However, a recent incident involving a large dog has sparked a heated debate about the store's pet policy.
A concerned father, who was shopping with his son at a Bunnings warehouse in Darwin's Coconut Grove, shared his distressing experience on social media.
He claimed that while browsing wood stains, a ‘big breed dog’ accompanying its owner snapped at his son. The aisle was so narrow that they had ‘no room to move’, and the dog's owner seemed indifferent to the incident.
A shopper called out Bunnings for its pet policy. Credit: Bunnings Warehouse
The father's post slammed ‘entitled dog owners’, saying, 'What's with people casually walking around Bunnings with big dogs now?’
‘A big dog just snapped at my kid, and the owner didn't care—the sheer entitlement of dog owners.'
‘I was like, “Woah, what the h***”, and they just walked away like nothing happened...I had to yank my son backwards because the dog lunged towards him when he snapped.’
This incident has led to a broader discussion about Bunnings' pet policy, which has existed since 2015.
However, the father argued that animals can be unpredictable, making them a major liability and a 'recipe for disaster' for Bunnings.
Bunnings' Managing Director, Mike Schneider, responded to the incident.
‘Customers have been bringing their dogs into our stores for many years, and we often hear how much they enjoy the company of their pet while shopping with us,’ he said.
He added that dogs are allowed into the store if they are friendly, on a lead, and comply with the conditions of entry. The store relies on a common-sense approach from customers.
‘If customers ever have concerns about an experience they have [at] our store, we encourage them to ask one of our team members for assistance,' Schneider added.
However, this incident and others like it have led many to question whether Bunnings' pet policy is appropriate.
'Dogs do not belong at Bunnings or any other store except the pet store...drives me wild, especially the ones who have to sit in the trolley,' one person commented.
'I find the dog entitlement in Darwin out of control. People don't train their dogs, and they run wild all over the place. I mostly avoid Bunnings on the weekend. Over it,' another wrote.
A third said, 'I don't understand why Bunnings changed their rules to allow dogs on leash without a muzzle. Makes no sense.'
It is understood that Bunnings’ pet policy allows pets into its stores as long as they are carried, secured on a lead, or in a shopping trolley.
Customers have been bringing their dogs to Bunnings to accompany them. Credit: @dogsatbunnings / Instagram
Another has proposed the introduction of a 'dog-free time slot' for customers who are afraid of dogs, have allergies, or do not want to shop alongside them.
The debate over Bunnings' pet policy isn't new.
Last year, a Bunnings worker pleaded with customers to stop bringing their dogs to the store, citing they ‘don’t get paid enough to clean up’ pee and poo.
‘Dear everyone who brings their dogs to Bunnings,’ they said on social media.
‘Please, stop. I don't get paid enough to clean up your dog's p*ss and sh*t.’
'If you can't train your dog to not pee indoors or simply don't care enough to carry poop bags, for the love of God, just don't bring your dogs to a literal shop.’
'I promise you, your pooch will be just fine at home. Go on a bush walk with them if they need the enrichment that bad. Sincerely, underpaid Bunnings worker.'
The worker's plea generated hundreds of comments, with many agreeing that pet owners should be more responsible.
'The amount of people that don't clean up after their dog in public is a joke. If they can't even be bothered to clean up dogs mess they shouldn't have a pet,' one said.
Another commented, 'When we do take our dogs with us to Bunnings, I always put them in a trolley with cardboard to sit on.
'I would never trust or even want them to walk around just on a lead. I'd be horrified if they peed or pooed in the store, and I would want to clean everything up if they somehow did.’
'I don't understand people who bring their dogs in knowing their dogs may p*ss or poo in store and not clean it up.’
Speaking of dogs, Bunnings was also recently under fire for finding something disconcerting in the pet aisle.
According to a Bunnings shopper, she said that this item was being sold dangerously close to pet products. Read more about the story here.
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