PET owners who place their animals inside grocery carts are facing heavy criticism online after photos of dogs in separate carts at a mall went viral on Sunday, Aug. 10.
The photos, posted on Reddit, were taken inside a supermarket. The uploader said it was surprising how no one, not even mall or store staff, seemed to call out the practice.
“The grocery cart is for food, not pets,” the caption read. “Allowing animals in them can compromise hygiene and food safety, especially for fresh produce.”
The post added that if incidents like this continue, malls and supermarkets might reimpose strict pet bans.
Comments from netizens were largely in agreement. Some suggested that owners should bring strollers designed for pets instead of using grocery carts. Others called the practice unhygienic and a potential health hazard, pointing out that not all pet owners ensure their animals are clean before placing them in public equipment used for food.
“There are places where it’s just not appropriate to bring a dog, especially when food is involved,” one commenter wrote. Another added that the “pet-friendly” trend in the Philippines sometimes gets abused, with some owners ignoring basic rules on sanitation and public courtesy.
