This past Saturday I was informed that my dog is no longer welcome at the Market. I am extremely disappointed w/ the Market's decision to do this. My pup is all of 9 pounds and had the worlds best personality. I was informed of a few incidents w/ pets, which I can appreciate. The pet owner has a responsibility for their animal but that is also true of parents who should make sure it's okay before allow a child to run up to any animal. There was also a report of an elderly person who tripped and injured herself. Again, both parties have a responsibility.
I have had my toes run over by a stroller and cart on more than one occasion and it hurt but a simple apology with a hope that the parent / shopper would be a bit more careful in the future was enough to suffice. I never asked the Red Stick Market to ban children or strollers.
I feel this is an excessive over-reaction. I told the managers of the market that I won't be returning until they welcome both me and my dog. I encourage other pet owners to do the same.
I'm not a pet owner for many reasons, but I don't mind a few little dogs at the farmer's market. However, there have been certain mornings when there were a LOT of dogs, many of them quite large, and while it may not have been especially hazardous to me personally, it was certainly inconvenient and difficult to navigate the crowd while weighed down with bags of produce. The space provided for the market is already cramped, and it makes sense to me that restricting animals would make more room for comfortable shopping by local humans.
Comment
Cathy Laufer again. I am a pet owner. I choose not to bring him to the market because it's an inconvenience for ME. I have brought him and he was a hit! I also use a motorized scooter and hopefully, I haven't run over any feet! My apologies if I have! I hope I'm not banned from the market because I pose any danger. Why can't the market use part of the parking lot next door?