Virgin and dogs.

[Eagle]

Maybe they had a Rover

Well they were going to London, perhaps their final destination was Barki— no, I refuse to participate in this pun contest.

 

[IKBrunel]

UK is a nation of animal lovers and dog walking seems to be our favourite national pastime. I wouldn't mind if it weren't for all the dog s**t everywhere (which is a real health risk to children).

But given the high proportion of animal lovers in the UK I wouldn't expect any tightening of the NRCoC around dogs any time soon.

 

[A-driver]

But given the high proportion of animal lovers in the UK I wouldn't expect any tightening of the NRCoC around dogs any time soon.

Why would it be tightened? What is wrong with dogs on trains? It's not like the dog here was attacking anyone or making a nuisance?

 

[duncanp]

I don't think that there is any need to tighten the National Rail Conditions of Carriage regarding dogs. One would hope that the existing conditions are enforced though.

 

[90019]

The fact remains that if they didn't have a reserved seat, then they cannot expect other people to move just because they want that seat for them and their dog.

Who said they should? :?

 

[duncanp]

The OP said that the couple with the dog were "...making noises that those seats would be perfect for them and their dog...."

This sounds to me as if they were hoping/expecting that the original occupant would move

 

[chris89]

UK is a nation of animal lovers and dog walking seems to be our favourite national pastime. I wouldn't mind if it weren't for all the dog s**t everywhere (which is a real health risk to children).

But given the high proportion of animal lovers in the UK I wouldn't expect any tightening of the NRCoC around dogs any time soon.

Don't let the few spoil your thought of the majority of dog owners. Many dog owners hate those who leave that all over pavements etc. I for one do, as when take my dog out, always have a few plastic bags with me.

Why would it be tightened? What is wrong with dogs on trains? It's not like the dog here was attacking anyone or making a nuisance?

I have to agree.

Only time i've taken the dog my family has, on a train was on the SVR and i went for a compartment coach, so to be out of the way of other people and he just sat down/ looked out the window the whole time.

Although i wouldn't take him on a normal rail service, due to being a big dog and a breed that will slobber a lot. Also that he suffers for some reason anxiety problems, Not aggressive, he just cries a lot, when in one place for to long and not moving etc.

 

[A-driver]

The OP said that the couple with the dog were "...making noises that those seats would be perfect for them and their dog...."

This sounds to me as if they were hoping/expecting that the original occupant would move

On the other (more likely) hand, the 'noises' they made were to say to each other "those seats would be perfect" but as someone was already in them they decided to move on.

I think it poor that people on here, including the OP, are trying to make the dog owners out to be out of order in some way whilst no one has yet given any evidence as to what they actually may have done wrong except to have brought a dog on to a train which is in no way a problem for anyone else.

Why are people trying to demonise them when infact looking at the original post, it seems much more likely that they got on, walked through a coach, asked a stewardess which seats may be best/most out of the way and considerate of others with a dog and then sat in them quietly not upsettling anyone else or causing any issues whatsoever. Meanwhile, out OP who has 'treated' himself to a first class trip for his birthday is fuming because it turns out that other people will be getting on the train to, some with dogs.

 

[SeanG]

From my experience, I've often found the best owners are the ones who ask if you don't mind the dog and the dog just sits there doing nowt

 

[Hellfire]

I'm sure all anti dog members will be delighted to hear that they are not allowed on the Manchester Metrolink.

We were not aware of this rule when travelling earlier this year. On boarding our fourth tram of the day, the driver left his cab(!) and informed us of it. He must have been a dog lover as he kind of encouraged us to say we were taking the dog to the vet for urgent treatment. This is allowed in emergencies. We stayed on to the first station we could get a Northern Rail connection from.

It's even more restricted than that. A little sign by the door informs passengers that dogs are only allowed on Manchester Metrolink if they are going to be treated at the PDSA. Just gong to a vet does not count apparently.

I have no idea why they have this rule. Dogs can travel on the London Underground which is much busier than the Metrolink. I did e mail them asking why they banned dogs but they just said they did and that was that.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

My experience has taught me that canines have been amongst the better behaved passengers on my trains!

I find it disgusting that people view animals under our care with such contempt.

Agreed

 

[Penmorfa]

It's even more restricted than that. A little sign by the door informs passengers that dogs are only allowed on Manchester Metrolink if they are going to be treated at the PDSA. Just gong to a vet does not count apparently.

I have no idea why they have this rule. Dogs can travel on the London Underground which is much busier than the Metrolink. I did e mail them asking why they banned dogs but they just said they did and that was that.

There is a petition to lift the ban;

http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/c...ter’s-metrolink-petition-slams-pooch-prohibit

 

[ungreat]

I'm a railwayman of 26 years service. Also a dog owner. Staffies to be exact. Great dogs in the right hands. I drive trains, responsible for lives yet I own what the media call a "devil dog"

And I take him on trains too!

I Love my dog, he loves people, everyone who meets him loves him, then asks what he is... when they are told "Staffordshire bull terrier" they say "Really? The media says they are nasty"

Plus he really loves train travel!

 

[ValleyLines142]

According to an East Coast guard, it's acceptable for a dog to occupy a seat, and for that seat to be covered in dog hairs.

Fortunately East Coast customer services disagreed.

Wow, that's pretty bad. I certainly wouldn't want to sit on a seat covered in dog hairs.

As with everyone else I have no problems with dogs on trains. In fact, it's a chance to start a conversation with the owner and you can even stroke the dog if you want to.

 

[SeanG]

there is no such thing as a bad dog, but there are many bad owners

 

[rogger13]

I kinda wonder if the OP would take a different stance if he saw the work that working dogs do when passengers have to sometimes filter through the drug screening intitiatives carried out by the BTP.......last time I saw that , at least 3 passengers were questioned....

I have no problem at all with Railway Police sniffers doing their bit...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Whatever people's opinions on dogs, I do take issue with the OP basically stating that he was almost insulted and offended that he may have to sit anywhere near a dog. Seems completely over the top and no matter what class you are travelling in, other passengers have as much right to sit next to you weather they have a dog, baby, are wearing a suit, track suit etc.

I wasn't offended or insulted,just fed up of the thought, to be honest 1st or standard class of being forced into the company of someones pride and joy for the next 2hrs.

I'm not anti dog, I can take them or leave them ,but I do know/work with people that are terrified or them. So if the party and the black Lab had settled close by then and I'd been made uneasy by its presence I would have has to move.......?

Anyway....dogs won, on Sunday got caught short,nipped behind a tree in a rural lay-by,and right into a doggie pressie...........didn't know until the car heater warmed up. Karma for moaning about dogs I reckon...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

VT's National Rail Conditions of Carriage has a section it (and more details are in Appendix B)

http://www.buytickets.virgintrains.co.uk/nationalcarriage.aspx#section2

Thanks for answering my question, taa
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Considering we only have the OPs word that they wanted those seats and were harangueing a stewardess and considering that the OP is quite clearly very anti dog and dog owner combined with the tone of the post I think you could take that with a pinch of salt.

They may have passed comment that the seats would have been good but I doubt that they actually stood over the man sat down and tried to pressure him into moving. And even if they did, there is nothing wrong with politely asking someone to swap seats. If the person refuses then so be it but no harm in asking is there.

As for the stewardess, at a guess they just asked her if she knew what the best seats for travelling with a dog would be. I severely doubt they were honestly harassing her.

The OP was quite clearly put out that he had spent lots of money on a first class ticket as a treat for himself and then realised that it is still public transport and that dogs, babies and children may still sit near you. I think it's fairly obvious that details in the post are rather one sided and exaggerated to make the dog owners out to be the evil scum they are in daring to invade the exclusive and luxurious environment that is first class and the fright that the OP got when he realised that they may sit in empty seats near him with a dog(!) have rather watered down what actually happened which let's face it is "I was sitting in first class and 2 people got on with a dog and walked through the coach looking for empty seats they could sit in..."

There does seem to be a number of threads on here with people failing to realise that first class isn't exactly exclusive and that you don't have to wear an expensive suit, have a masters degree, have been trained in the correct etiquette and be very important to sit in there. It's equally used by families and leisure travellers from all walks of life.

Just reporting what happened in front of me, and raising a 2 questions for which I did not know the answer. I've no hidden agenda or mileage to gained, just surprised that it was allowed.