Dogs on the train seats?

[Howardh]

Yesterday I witnessed a lady with her dog, only a small one, but the dog was asleep on the seat, no blanket protection either; I only noticed as I was getting off so I mentioned it to the guard. I presume dogs are certainly not allowed to sit on the seats, as (a) it must surely be unhealthy - I certainly wouldn't like to be the next passenger to sit there, and (b) if the dog makes a "mess" will the accompanying passenger be billed for the cleaning and the coach possibly being out of service while it is cleaned?

Must admit it's the first time I've ever seen this, I've seen cats in their box on seats and more than plenty of dogs sat on the floor! Thoughts??

 

[Jimini]

My little fella either a) sleeps on the floor by my feet, or b) sits on my lap and watches the world go by out the window.

I'd never let him sit on a seat, blanket or no blanket!

 

[hexagon789]

Yesterday I witnessed a lady with her dog, only a small one, but the dog was asleep on the seat, no blanket protection either; I only noticed as I was getting off so I mentioned it to the guard. I presume dogs are certainly not allowed to sit on the seats, as (a) it must surely be unhealthy - I certainly wouldn't like to be the next passenger to sit there, and (b) if the dog makes a "mess" will the accompanying passenger be billed for the cleaning and the coach possibly being out of service while it is cleaned?

Must admit it's the first time I've ever seen this, I've seen cats in their box on seats and more than plenty of dogs sat on the floor! Thoughts??

Definitely against the bye-laws and a cleaning fee can be levied I believe, yes.

All pets though, not just dogs - it would equally apply to cats for instance.

 

[Howardh]

Definitely against the bye-laws and a cleaning fee can be levied I believe, yes.

Good, as it should be!

 

[hexagon789]

Good, as it should be!

Also 24.2 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel:

24.2 ....Animals are not allowed on seats in any circumstances.

 

[Sun Chariot]

National Rail Conditions of Travel: 24.2 ....Animals are not allowed on seats in any circumstances.

That category would apply to the disgusting rail users I'd endured, during my regular travel into and across London, during the nineties and noughties....

 

[CaptainHaddock]

On an evening train from Hunmanby to Sheffield last year I witnessed a woman let her filthy mongrels sit on a table! I waited for the guard to come round but when he eventually turned up, instead of telling her to get them off the table, had started petting and fussing over them!

 

[Howardh]

On an evening train from Hunmanby to Sheffield last year I witnessed a woman let her filthy mongrels sit on a table! I waited for the guard to come round but when he eventually turned up, instead of telling her to get them off the table, had started petting and fussing over them!

That really is bad

 

[LowLevel]

It's polarising. 90% of people pay no attention and don't care (see: default position of feet on seats). 5% let their dogs sit on the seats because they think they're children and it's what they do at home. 5% get furious at the idea.

 

[Gloster]

I see that a lot on the bus. One thing that strikes me is that how can we even be sure that a blanket is clean? Do they ensure that the bit Fido sits on is always the same side and never the one touching the seat, and do they make sure that when they fold it away the two parts never touch? Even so, Fido’s grubby little back side is often rubbing up against the lower part of the backrest and other parts of the bus touched by humans.

 

[Howardh]

I see that a lot on the bus. One thing that strikes me is that how can we even be sure that a blanket is clean? Do they ensure that the bit Fido sits on is always the same side and never the one touching the seat, and do they make sure that when they fold it away the two parts never touch? Even so, Fido’s grubby little back side is often rubbing up against the lower part of the backrest and other parts of the bus touched by humans.

I'd certainly rather sit where a cat's been (which would, of course, be the comfiest seat in the room) than a dog, on the simple grounds that cats keep themselves clean whereas dogs have next to zero personal hygene!

On writing that I have to admit that as an infant I spent a lot of time curled up with our alsatian and it did me no harm, that I'm aware of anyway!!

 

[Russel]

Having worked on trains for 13 years I can assure you there is way way worse on those seats than a dog sat on them.

As a guard I regularly see dogs on seats, some with and some without a blanket/"protection". Honestly unless the dog is actively defecating on them, it falls under the "not worth the aggro" to get the owner to take them off.

Understandable I'd say.

Sitting on a seat on public transport is like sleeping in a hotel bed, it's best not to think about who or what was there before you!

 

[yorksrob]

I'm against dogs on seats, however I'll tolerate if there's some sort of towell/blanket.

I see @Gloster 's point about how clean the blanket is, but at least the moquette is one step removed from the doggy behind.

(By "tolerate", I mean not get cross, as opposed to anything proactive).

 

[Trackman]

My little fella either a) sleeps on the floor by my feet, or b) sits on my lap and watches the world go by out the window.

I'd never let him sit on a seat, blanket or no blanket!

Nice one. Dogs I've seen on trains are very well behaved. A credit to their owners.

 

[6Gman]

On an evening train from Hunmanby to Sheffield last year I witnessed a woman let her filthy mongrels sit on a table! I waited for the guard to come round but when he eventually turned up, instead of telling her to get them off the table, had started petting and fussing over them!

I've seen guards tweeting pictures of dogs on seats with a "isn't he cute" line below, rather than "please don't do this".

 

[ivorytoast28]

While dogs definitely shouldn't be on seats, I must say I've never seen a dog make a mess on a train or other public indoor place... Young children and middle age groups drinking on the other hand... I know who I'd rather sit down after

 

[Ashley Hill]

If nobody complains I tolerate it to a degree. If the dog is clean and well behaved like its owner I may turn a blind eye. If it’s some manky looking creature and the owner doesn’t care then to the floor it goes. I’m no dog lover though.

 

[danbarjon]

If nobody complains I tolerate it to a degree. If the dog is clean and well behaved like its owner I may turn a blind eye. If it’s some manky looking creature and the owner doesn’t care then to the floor it goes. I’m no dog lover though.

I agree with this. If the dog was sat on the seat and barking and going for people walking past then absolutely not.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

If nobody complains I tolerate it to a degree. If the dog is clean and well behaved like its owner I may turn a blind eye. If it’s some manky looking creature and the owner doesn’t care then to the floor it goes. I’m no dog lover though.

Broadly agree also - though I've also had problems with dogs on the floor blocking the gangway. As you say, my reaction in either situation will very much depend on the attitude of the owner.

For example, working a busy evening peak train out of London a few months ago, and a woman had her enormous dog sprawled out across the floor, blocking the gangway.

As I make my way through the train, I politely ask her "Excuse me" so as not to potentially step on and/or fall onto the dog as I make the enormous leap over it, and she rudely responds "Well can't you step over?" before muttering under her breath.

Well if you're completely happy with and won't complain when I potentially fall onto and injure your dog if we go over a set of points(!)

Not entirely ashamed to admit I felt a little dose of satisfaction making a certain announcement afterwards, along the lines of "Just a reminder to please keep all gangways free from bags, suitcases and pets... including dogs."

 

[danbarjon]

Broadly agree also - though I've also had problems with dogs on the floor blocking the gangway. As you say, my reaction in either situation will very much depend on the owner.

For example, working a busy evening peak train out of London a few months ago, and a woman had her enormous dog sprawled out across the floor, blocking the gangway.

As I make my way through the train, I politely ask her "Excuse me" so as not to potentially step on and/or fall onto the dog as I make the enormous leap over it, and she rudely responds "Well can't you step over?" before muttering under her breath.

Well if you're completely happy with and won't complain when I potentially fall onto and injure your dog if we go over a set of points(!)

Not entirely ashamed to admit I felt a little dose of satisfaction making a certain announcement afterwards, along the lines of "Just a reminder to please keep all gangways free from bags, suitcases and pets... including dogs."

I agree, I'm always thinking what if I trip or we tilt and I step on the dogs paw so in the end I just stand there until they move the dog.

 

[M&NEJ]

Maybe just as there is reservable space set aside for cycles there should be space set aside as a kennel?!!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Maybe just as there is reservable space set aside for cycles there should be space set aside as a kennel?!!

Only available on a ca-nine car set

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Only available on a ca-nine car set

But the dog would need a rover ticket to travel?

 

[Sun Chariot]

But the dog would need a rover ticket to travel?

My dog goes from Barking to Lickey

 

[Gloster]

You could always do what Mitt Romney did and put the dog on the roof.

 

[physics34]

Unfortunately many pet owners are pretty selfish.. as are non pet owners.

 

[30907]

On "my" heritage railway the same rules apply, and I was taught to enforce it politely. I've never had a refusal

 

[Oldgaloot]

I've noticed recently far more dogs in town with their owners than there used to be pre-pandemic. I assume that it's because more people bought pets when we were all stuck at home and now take them everywhere. I'm not a dog person. Or cat, hamster or whatever. I think only humans should be allowed where humans sit. Anything else is unacceptable and probably unhygienic.

 

[Newp410]

Our dog travels with us occasionally, however I've never seen a dog do half the disgusting things that humans seem to think are acceptable on trains, such as dirty boots on seats, urinating in vestibules because they can't be bothered to walk to the next carriage, vomit half the contents of an off-licence or create an all-you can eat floor buffet of dropped food.

 

[Spamcan81]

I see that a lot on the bus. One thing that strikes me is that how can we even be sure that a blanket is clean? Do they ensure that the bit Fido sits on is always the same side and never the one touching the seat, and do they make sure that when they fold it away the two parts never touch? Even so, Fido’s grubby little back side is often rubbing up against the lower part of the backrest and other parts of the bus touched by humans.

Whilst I would never allow my dog to sit on a seat, how do we know the clothes of humans are clean? I’ve seen some right scruffy individuals whose place I most definitely wouldn’t want to take after they’ve vacated their seat.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2024 ==

I've noticed recently far more dogs in town with their owners than there used to be pre-pandemic. I assume that it's because more people bought pets when we were all stuck at home and now take them everywhere. I'm not a dog person. Or cat, hamster or whatever. I think only humans should be allowed where humans sit. Anything else is unacceptable and probably unhygienic.

Plenty of unhygienic people out there for you to worry about and they outnumber pets on public transport by a wide margin.