What did this Coles shopper do that had everyone debating?
- Replies 145
Regular customers of Coles are generally aware of the retailer’s strict rules for in-store shopping.
However, those rules were apparently disregarded by one Coles customer on the NSW Central Coast, leaving a fellow shopper disgusted.
While browsing at a Coles store, the said customer noticed something unusual in the next aisle—a little chihuahua was snoozing away in a shopping trolley!
Upon this discovery, the customer then headed straight for customer service to enquire.
‘I asked the floor supervisor why this dog was allowed in store as well as in a trolley where people put food,’ the customer captioned along with an image of the chihuahua in the trolley.
The supervisor told him it might be a service dog, however, the animal wore no clear identification, so the customer dismissed this.
‘So I asked if I was allowed to just walk in-store with my dog on a [leash], and she said, no, I am not. Nor am I allowed to put my dog in a trolley (which I agree with completely, by the way), but I was making a point.’
The customer then took to social media to share his ‘whinge’ about the incident, along with an image of the chihuahua in the trolley.
Included in his post, the man said, 'The amount of animals allowed into Coles stores at the moment because staff aren’t allowed to approach them is beyond a joke.'
The post quickly gained attention online, with many people chiming in to agree that using trolleys to carry dogs was 'gross' and people should leave their ‘fur babies’ at home.
‘As if you want a dog's a** and drool and whatever else where you put your fruit and [vegetables]. Leave the mutt at home,’ one commented.
Another online user shared their sentiment that ‘little dogs get away with everything.’
However, not everyone agreed with the original complaint. There were some who argued this was a trivial issue not worth making a fuss about.
‘If you're that worried, get a disinfection wipe and wipe all over the trolley. I would much rather have an obedient dog in a trolley than some kid running around the shop,’ one stated.
Another person commented: ‘There's much more worse things happening in the world.’
A response from an assistance dog handler clarified what pets are allowed in Australian supermarkets.
They explained that assistance animals must be equipped with identification. In addition, service dogs were not permitted to sit in the trolley for hygienic purposes.
This was not the only case regarding pets being present inside the store. Last year another customer had been spotted with their pet at a checkout, and Coles had confirmed that was not permitted.
'Assistance and companion animals are welcome to accompany their owners in our stores if they are clearly identified by a collar, coat or harness,' a Coles spokesperson said at the time.
'We do not allow for everyday pets or animals to enter our stores.'
It’s easy to forget that any pet in a public space has potential implications for public health and hygiene.
Dogs, like all animals (and humans, for that matter), are carriers of billions of microorganisms. While some of these microbes don't carry any disease, the same can't be said about them all.
What do you think is the right call? Should pets be allowed in the grocery store, or should people leave their beloved fur friends at home? Weigh in your opinion in the comments below.
However, those rules were apparently disregarded by one Coles customer on the NSW Central Coast, leaving a fellow shopper disgusted.
While browsing at a Coles store, the said customer noticed something unusual in the next aisle—a little chihuahua was snoozing away in a shopping trolley!
Upon this discovery, the customer then headed straight for customer service to enquire.
‘I asked the floor supervisor why this dog was allowed in store as well as in a trolley where people put food,’ the customer captioned along with an image of the chihuahua in the trolley.
The supervisor told him it might be a service dog, however, the animal wore no clear identification, so the customer dismissed this.
A Coles shopper expressed his discontent over a chihuahua situated in one of their trolleys. Image Credit: Facebook.
‘So I asked if I was allowed to just walk in-store with my dog on a [leash], and she said, no, I am not. Nor am I allowed to put my dog in a trolley (which I agree with completely, by the way), but I was making a point.’
The customer then took to social media to share his ‘whinge’ about the incident, along with an image of the chihuahua in the trolley.
Included in his post, the man said, 'The amount of animals allowed into Coles stores at the moment because staff aren’t allowed to approach them is beyond a joke.'
The post quickly gained attention online, with many people chiming in to agree that using trolleys to carry dogs was 'gross' and people should leave their ‘fur babies’ at home.
‘As if you want a dog's a** and drool and whatever else where you put your fruit and [vegetables]. Leave the mutt at home,’ one commented.
Another online user shared their sentiment that ‘little dogs get away with everything.’
However, not everyone agreed with the original complaint. There were some who argued this was a trivial issue not worth making a fuss about.
‘If you're that worried, get a disinfection wipe and wipe all over the trolley. I would much rather have an obedient dog in a trolley than some kid running around the shop,’ one stated.
Another person commented: ‘There's much more worse things happening in the world.’
A response from an assistance dog handler clarified what pets are allowed in Australian supermarkets.
They explained that assistance animals must be equipped with identification. In addition, service dogs were not permitted to sit in the trolley for hygienic purposes.
This was not the only case regarding pets being present inside the store. Last year another customer had been spotted with their pet at a checkout, and Coles had confirmed that was not permitted.
'Assistance and companion animals are welcome to accompany their owners in our stores if they are clearly identified by a collar, coat or harness,' a Coles spokesperson said at the time.
'We do not allow for everyday pets or animals to enter our stores.'
It’s easy to forget that any pet in a public space has potential implications for public health and hygiene.
Dogs, like all animals (and humans, for that matter), are carriers of billions of microorganisms. While some of these microbes don't carry any disease, the same can't be said about them all.
What do you think is the right call? Should pets be allowed in the grocery store, or should people leave their beloved fur friends at home? Weigh in your opinion in the comments below.
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