Bottom line, businesses have the freedom to enforce a no dog policy ( with the exception of service dogs) if they so choose. Customers also have the freedom to choose whether or not to patronize the business.
You might be the world's best dog owner. Your dog is clean, healthy, well behaved. But chances are, the guy coming in behind you isn't as conscientious. Why force business owner to stand there and try to determine which type of owner you are? It's easier for them to make a blanket statement of "no dogs allowed." Just because it's not posted specifically doesn't mean it's ok to take them in. How hard is it to ask first? And if the answer is a "no", then why sweat it? We may love our dogs beyond reason, but everyone else doesn't have to.
BTW-every hospital I have ever worked at has had a "no pets" policy. Only a select handful of specially trained and (health)screened dogs and trainers were ever allowed in because there are immune compromised people there (heck, most ICU's don't even allow flowers or balloons any more because of the health risks!) The most well behaved pet can freak out at the sounds and smells of a hospital.
__________________  Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny. |