Should any dog be allowed on any train?

[ANorthernGuard]

You sound like a pompous unsociable sod i would rather be around a dog on a train than a lot of humans including the likes of miserable gits like you if you didn't like it you should have sodded off to another part of the train.
They were fare paying passengers and there is nothing in the rulebook about their dog if you had whinged to the guard he would have told you the same as i have.

Absolutely agree with you and on an added note in 10 years I have never seen any trouble with dogs.

 

[northwichcat]

Absolutely agree with you and on an added note in 10 years I have never seen any trouble with dogs.

Out of interest how frequently do you see a dog board a train? I find it a very rare occurrence and the incident referred to in the news story I quoted in the original post referred to two dogs being on the same train - I've never seen that.

I only originally asked "should any dog be allowed on any train?" Could maybe one dog normally be considered OK on local services but multiple dogs maybe not?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

interesting to see Rotties mentioned in a dangerous dog style thread. I recall seeing something on the news that your 50 times more likely to be attacked by a Golden Retriever than a Rottie.

That's certainly true of my 3 Rotties, they are scared of their own shadows half the time, though the eldest is trained to protect women, surely that would be ok on a train?

Rottweilers may be a bad example - I had just thought of the Father Larry Duff incident in Father Ted. Although I did refer to 6 of them boarding the same train! Personally the only time I have had issues with other people dogs in general it has indeed been the smaller ones. I can think of two attempts of a small dog trying to bite me and also numerous incidents where a dog with dirty paws has run up to me and put it's dirty paws on my clothes - which if you were travelling to a job interview you certainly wouldn't want.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Usually if one dog is already on then the nxt dog and owner will usually go to the other end, I am always out fussing them and have never even been growled at (the dogs I mean and not the female owners) lol

 

[WelshBluebird]

I quite like it if I'm on the train and theres a dog on there. I love animals, and always make a fuss of a dog / cat / whatever if it wants it lol.

Dogs are animals

So are humans.

they're unpredicatable

So are humans.

they smell

So can humans

they poop

so do humans.

they bite

so can humans

and they leave hairs everywhere

humans leave rubbish and stuff everywhere too.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

I quite like it if I'm on the train and theres a dog on there. I love animals, and always make a fuss of a dog / cat / whatever if it wants it lol.



So are humans.



So are humans.



So can humans



so do humans.



so can humans



humans leave rubbish and stuff everywhere too.

Pretty much spot on as well

 

[gazthomas]

That is just not true of all dogs though. Well trained and the dog will not be stressed one bit.

I fully agree. My westie loves train rides, particularly behind Eastfield 37's!

Seriously, it comes down to training and awareness of the owner.

 

[bronzeonion]

Pretty much spot on as well

+2

I'm actually quite annoyed after reading this whole thread at some peoples ignorance.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I quite like it if I'm on the train and theres a dog on there. I love animals, and always make a fuss of a dog / cat / whatever if it wants it lol.



So are humans.



So are humans.



So can humans



so do humans.



so can humans



humans leave rubbish and stuff everywhere too.

Totally Agree +2

I'm actually quite annoyed after reading this thread, just how ignorant some people are about dogs.

 

[90019]

But they're all called 'Dogs'. A 'general' term. It's only you owners that give them silly names to give them an identity.

So you've never ever named a pet then?

Bothers me. They smell. You can always smell where a dogs been. What if I have to sit in your seat after you've left.

I spend the majority of my working day dealing with the general public and encounter dogs most days.
I have yet to have a dog on my bus that noticably smells, but I regularly have people on the bus that absolutely reek - some of whom leave a lingering smell that's absolutely disgusting.
I haven't encountered a dog that makes me feel physically sick because of the smell, yet I have had two people like that on my bus today.

 

[reb0118]

Perhaps children should also be banned from trains, on one busy intercity journey a toddler was sharing my table seat with 2 other irresponsible adults who allowed him to stand/sit on the table. I was very glad I had my ipod with me!
\

I've corrected your post for you. A similar situation occurred on my train a few years back. Some daft parent had allowed wee diddums to stand on the table (unbeknownst to me I must add), cue some numpty pressing the pass-comm instead of pulling the flush, and hey presto an emergency stop. Wee diddums does an audition for the British Olympic Gymnastics Team and of course it is my fault.............

 

[AlexS]

Dog owners have every right to bring dogs on board trains but the railway has every right in addition to confiscate them if they misbehave (although my arse will you find me confiscating an angry dog!). I had a passenger come up to me the other day stating they were uncomfortable travelling because someone else had a Staffie type dog and they felt their children might be unsafe, so they asked if I could decline the other passenger + dog travel. Naturally I made sympathetic noises but inevitably refused them and invited them to sit elsewhere on the train if they wished. They stated they had reservations and didn't feel they should have to move but I told them that was their choice and the conductor agreed. I have a big bug bear with people demonising Staffies (I find them to be wonderful dogs generally) and in particular this dog was making less of a fuss than their own children.

The problem with regulations is that people always think they should enforced to their favour and ignored to their detriment. At the end of the day I see a lot of dogs travelling by train and I haven't come across a problem one yet.

 

[KA4C]

but I regularly have people on the bus that absolutely reek - some of whom leave a lingering smell that's absolutely disgusting.
I haven't encountered a dog that makes me feel physically sick because of the smell, yet I have had two people like that on my bus today.

The other day, in our village Co-op, were an elderly couple who obviously had trouble caring for themselves, they reeked, as did the shop after they had been in there, the staff had to go round spraying air freshener after them.

The check out lady who served them was actually sick after she had served them, she had to leave the checkout and go to the toilets to be sick

My (dirty) dogs, however, must be tied up outside the shop

 

[northwichcat]

The other day, in our village Co-op, were an elderly couple who obviously had trouble caring for themselves, they reeked, as did the shop after they had been in there, the staff had to go round spraying air freshener after them.

My local co-op banned one old man who rarely washed or wore clean clothes from going inside the shop.

 

[Oswyntail]

This thread seems to have drifted somewhat! Yes, there are humans who are disgusting and badly behaved, and dogs that are not. Dog lovers are outraged, because their dog would never cause trouble, and some dog haters are taking an opposite view.
For me the question is: should we impose blanket restrictions on dogs because of potential trouble? As you may gather from my earlier posts, my answer is yes, for the comfort and safety of the human passengers. Many more people feel uncomfortable with dogs around than actively dislike them, and for many, myself included, even (especially!) ones who are "just being friendly" are scary. So I believe the dogs should be kept under the control of a short leash and muzzle.
Now for the truly contentious bit! However filthy or badly behaved, human passengers have rights - dogs do not, hence the difference in treatment. IMHO, this is because rights entail responsibilities and the potential to comprehend the consequences of not fulfilling them is not open to dogs. Over to you philosophers out there!

 

[Greenback]

This thread seems to have drifted somewhat! Yes, there are humans who are disgusting and badly behaved, and dogs that are not. Dog lovers are outraged, because their dog would never cause trouble, and some dog haters are taking an opposite view.

I think most dog owners are responsible people who realise that their dog may react badly to certain situations (such as other dogs nearby) and take measures to prevent anything like that happening.

For me the question is: should we impose blanket restrictions on dogs because of potential trouble? As you may gather from my earlier posts, my answer is yes, for the comfort and safety of the human passengers.

I believe that the answer should be no. Blanket restrictions because of the possibility of trouble would be too harsh. though I accept that such things as blanket alcohol bans because of the possibility of trouble weakens that argument a bit!

Many more people feel uncomfortable with dogs around than actively dislike them, and for many, myself included, even (especially!) ones who are "just being friendly" are scary.

I used to feel the same. I am much happier when dogs are around now. My parents and father in law having dogs has undoubtedly helped me to understand them better, which in turn has helped me not to be scared of them, which I admit I used to be.

So I believe the dogs should be kept under the control of a short leash and muzzle.

I would not be against a requirement for dogs to be kept on a lead at all times. I'm not sure if such a rule currently exists, but I would never take a dog anywhere without a lead. I'm not so sure about a muzzle.

Now for the truly contentious bit! However filthy or badly behaved, human passengers have rights - dogs do not, hence the difference in treatment. IMHO, this is because rights entail responsibilities and the potential to comprehend the consequences of not fulfilling them is not open to dogs. Over to you philosophers out there!

I'm not going to dispute that, I'll just say it's a pity some people know all about their rights without caring about their responsibilities!

 

[Butts]

Are Dogs allowed in East Coast First Class where they are serving food ? - I've seen plenty but not of the canine variety

Also are cats allowed on Trains - that could make for an interesting situation !!

 

[northwichcat]

Also are cats allowed on Trains - that could make for an interesting situation !!

Yes but they must be kept in a basket and not roam the train.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

I am not a dog lover/ owner, but I would hate to see dogs banned from trains. Totally unfair on people who rely on public transport. Joys of taking a dog on holiday or a day out confined to car owners only.
If there were many incidents of problems of dogs on trains the TOC's would have more conditions/ advice and posters around.
Probably far more accidents from people falling over on railway property eg tripping over shoe laces...
First step on owning a good dog is careful selection of breeder.
Visit several times on selection of pup.
Rescue dogs are well vetted for suitable owner.
Always keep dog on lead on public property.
Seen a small dog run over to someones gateway and a big dog pulled it through the bars. Several hundred £ vet bill & mega distress for the errant owner.
Similar incident on a beach.

 

[KA4C]

because of potential trouble? As you may gather from my earlier posts, my answer is yes, for the comfort and safety of the human passengers.

As you will see from my earlier post, in my 40+ years working in the industry, I have never come across an issue where a dog has caused harm to another passenger, so why ban them? I have, however, come across numerous events where fellow human beings have (including three occasions) when have been assaulted

However filthy or badly behaved, human passengers have rights - dogs do not, hence the difference in treatment. IMHO, this is because rights entail responsibilities and the potential to comprehend the consequences of not fulfilling them is not open to dogs. Over to you philosophers out there!

But their human owners do have rights and the issue of responsibility is not one for the dog, but the owner

I can see why dog haters would want all dogs banned from everywhere, but I would suggest that there are more important public order issues to address within society
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yes but they must be kept in a basket and not roam the train.

Really, you've never seen cats on harness and lead on a train then, I have seen that, rabbits on harness and lead and we used to have one guy travel regularly from Hastings who had a pet male rat that travelled on his shoulder, it was much better behaved that the other rats who travelled to Warrior Square on benefit day

 

[Whistler40145]

Should the rules be the same as shops with only Guide Dogs & Service Dogs being permitted?

 

[ainsworth74]

Should the rules be the same as shops with only Guide Dogs being permitted?

Why should the rules be changed at all?

 

[KA4C]

Should the rules be the same as shops with only Guide Dogs & Service Dogs being permitted?

Why, where has then been a problem that needs a solution

 

[90019]

Should the rules be the same as shops with only Guide Dogs & Service Dogs being permitted?

No, because a shop doesn't transport you from one place to another.

 

[KA4C]

Why should the rules be changed at all?

Nail firmly on head! well said

 

[90019]

Why, where has then been a problem that needs a solution

If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is, it would seem applies here.

 

[Whistler40145]

Mind you, half the time, if there are any problems with unruly or aggressive dogs is down to the way they have been trained or lack of training.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is, it would seem applies here.

and this is one thing on the railway that certainly isn't broke, does not need fixing and really is quite daft lol

 

[Gwenllian2001]

Mind you, half the time, if there are any problems with unruly or aggressive dogs is down to the way they have been trained or lack of training.

For dogs substitute people, the same criteria apply.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

There becomes a point at you say where do you draw the line. Nobody knows wether a dog is going to attack somebody or not - wether it be the sweetest choolate labroador, cutest poodle of ugliest Staffie. Unfortunately the authoriities have 2 options - allow dogs on trains or don't. Thankfully such terrible acts are sparse given the amount of dogs travelling on trains.

On one occasion a dog urinated in a bag of shopping I had which contained 2 fresh baguettes and a newspaper I had bought from Tesco earlier that day. Needless to say the items were destroyed and I was initially angry. However,

the owner, who got off at the same station as me, gave me the money to replace them. We commuted the same train reguarly and from that point we became modest friends, the dog sadly, died 3 weeks later after contracting an infection.

 

[PR1Berske]

If the choice is "Let them all on, or ban them all", of course the only sensible response is "Let them all on"

 

[northwichcat]

Really, you've never seen cats on harness and lead on a train then, I have seen that, rabbits on harness and lead and we used to have one guy travel regularly from Hastings who had a pet male rat that travelled on his shoulder, it was much better behaved that the other rats who travelled to Warrior Square on benefit day

Just because some passengers do things doesn't mean it's permitted.

Except for dogs, animals must be conveyed in a fully enclosed basket or pet carrier designed for this purpose with dimensions not exceeding 85 x 60 x 60 cm. Baskets and pet carriers must be large enough to allow the animal to stand and lie down in comfort. Animals which are too large for a basket or pet carrier with dimensions 85 x 60 x 60 cm may not be conveyed by train. Dogs must be kept on a lead throughout your journey; other animals must not be taken out of their baskets or pet carriers. If your dog or other animal causes a nuisance or inconvenience to other passengers you may be asked to remove it from a train or railway premises by the Train Company or Rail Service Company staff.