Fury as ‘hippy’ supermarket shoppers let mutts near open food: ‘This is the entitlement of dog owners’
Whole Foods has found itself at the center of a hygiene row after a shopper was pictured holding a dog just inches from an open hot food bar.
The image - which quickly spread online - appears to show a woman clutching a small white dog as she browses the buffet-style counter, with the animal’s tail hovering dangerously close to the exposed dishes.
The upscale grocery chain - known for its pricey, organic offerings and health-conscious clientele - quickly became the center of a heated debate.
The image, originally posted on Reddit, shows a woman standing just inches from the open hot bar while holding a small white dog.
As she browses the food options, the dog's tail appears to graze the counter where prepared dishes are displayed. The post drew swift backlash.
‘The dog’s backside is literally above the food,' someone wrote. 'If it farts, it’s going straight onto the hot bar.’
'Animals around open food is not good in a public place,' another wrote. 'I wish people would keep their dogs at home.'
Others saying they work at the chain said the issue is far from rare. 'I work at Whole Foods and cannot stand the entitlement of our customers. I'm so over it,' they wrote.
Controversy has erupted online after a customer shared a photo appearing to show a fellow shopper holding her dog dangerously close to the store's hot food bar
The upscale grocery chain - known for its pricey, organic offerings and health-conscious clientele - has become the center of a heated debate
Whole Foods is famous for its hot bar, which offers customers fresh and healthy dishes ready to eat
Others pointed out that the dog could potentially be a service animal, which would be permitted in stores under certain conditions - but questioned whether that justifies being held so close to uncovered food.
'Even service animals have to stay on the ground, not held above the food on the hot bar,' one user argued.
Some commenters broadened the criticism to dog owners more generally, while others placed the blame on the store itself for not enforcing its policies more strictly.
‘This is the entitlement of dog owners - they think the rules don’t apply to them,’ one said.
Another person claiming to work at the chain said encountering dogs is a daily occurrence.
'I see at least one every shift - my record is four,' they wrote. 'Maybe 30 percent are service dogs, and that's being generous. I know WF has hippy roots but that's crazy.'
Still, not everyone was outraged. One user offered a more lighthearted take: 'Dogs are actually really good at picking out food. I'm super indecisive and have dietary restrictions - if I could bring a dog to help me choose, I would.'
