BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Publix continues to make it clear to the needy people in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach who must go shopping with their pet: don’t. But that apparently didn’t stop the man seen above from bringing his dog into the Spanish River Publix in Boca Raton. Our tipster says a store employee told him he could bring the dog into the store because it’s “cute.”
The man is nominated for Wednesday’s Boca Rudeton award. But he also serves as a reminder to those people visiting from New York and other places who may be unfamiliar with Publix’s effort to comply with federal and state laws. Your pet isn’t permitted in Publix. In fact, your pet isn’t permitted anywhere food is sold in Florida.
It’s been several months since Publix installed signs — like the one below — across its multi-state chain. Sources tell BocaNewsNow.com that senior management grew frustrated with customers who used Publix like a dog park — bringing their animals with the wherever they go.
“These dog people clearly have problems,” said one representative, not authorized to speak on the matter, to BocaNewsNow.com. “Managers chain-wide asked corporate to help and they finally did. There are fewer dogs now then there had been, but it’s still a problem. A lot of these shoppers lie about their animals being service dogs. It’s still really bad in Boca. I feel sorry for people who are so needy that they lie.”
To the man with the dog: you are our first Boca Rudeton™ nominee for Wednesday. We don’t know what the day holds so we’re not yet prepared to declare you the winner, but it’s looking good. To Spanish River Publix manamagent: we encourage you to follow your corporate policy.
We remind our readers that there is no expectation of privacy in a public place. Don’t want to be seen here? Don’t be rude here! Send your submissions to us using the menu buttons above. Share your thoughts about the deli dog in our comment section, below. Boca Rudeton™ is a trademark of MetroDesk Media, LLC. People bringing their pets into locations selling food is a trademark of South Palm Beach County.
46 responses to “Publix Spanish River Boca Raton Violating Company’s Dog Policy”
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We shop at Publix in Canyon Town Center-West Boynton Beach. There are consistently shoppers with dogs in that store as the Manager never says anything. They should not be granted access to the store. The managers and employees see these dogs and continue to say nothing and do not enforce the law.
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It’s a loose loose situation for the management in Publix to tell them they are not allowed. What happens is they lie to them anyway. They can only ask is it a service animal and what service does it perform. Then they get threatened for harassment. Some people will take their pets out when approached, others will call corporate in which they won’t back the management team and once again have to deal with the wrath
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I love dogs but they should not allow where food is the fur off the dog is no no or restaurants on less is real service dog
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How do you know that his dog isn’t a service dog? You are not required by state or federal law to have a vest or other identifying device on a service dog. The dog appears to be behaving in a manner consistent with a trained dog. If you are such a Karen that you feel the need to intervene, then go ask the manager to speak to the person. I’ve had Publix management inquire about my service dog. They know the two questions they are allowed to ask. If they ask, I answer. Then go on about my shopping. But when a Karen has asked me for credentials for my dog, depending on their tone, I either answer, or tell them to mind their own business and get lost. I do not have to answer anyone but the management or police. The reason that management doesn’t usually bother is because they know they are very limited in what they can do, and the wrong choice can get them sued. The wrong choice by a Karen can get them chastised, or worse…arrested. Just mind your business unless the dog is being disruptive or aggressive. Then have the management ask the person to leave. Management has the absolute right to have an unruly dog (or person) removed for poor behavior. They can also call the police if necessary. Most people that lie to a store manager about a service dog, are less likely to lie to the police about it, since misrepresenting a dog as a service animal to police is an actual crime. Whereas lying to a store manager is less worrisome. They can be trespassed from the store indefinitely and even receive fines and jail time.
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I’m happy that you’re legally permitted to shop with your service dog, and you are, obviously, absolutely right about what questions can be asked.
However, I suggest that you enjoy the current restrictions, because soon, as a result of the many people who abuse the ADA and bring their emotional support animals, in the guise of support animals, into supermarkets and restaurants, people with support animals WILL be required to obtain, and present, documentation.
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There is no such documentation. There is no federal database for service animals. There is no registration requirement. Unfortunately, there are training centers for obedience training that give people documents but they are useless. I don’t see any database for service animals happening anytime soon which is unfortunate. I led the ADA team at a large fortune 500 for a few years and it was always rewarding to help people who needed accommodations and frustrating dealing with people attempting to abuse it.
Store managers can ask what work task the dog performs. Providing comfort is not a work task (ruling in 2012 by DOJ) so manager can ask them to leave.
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Plenty of dogs in the world can and do stand still at any given point in time. That doesn’t mean said dog is behaving in a manner consistent with a trained dog – it simply means that it’s standing still. If that was the criteria used to determine a trained service dog, then all dogs in the world would be trained service dogs. And it’s funny that you refer to people that don’t like animals in in public shopping spaces as Karens, given that the defining characteristic of a Karen is a supreme sense of entitlement. And your whole “Just mind your business” comment will only encourage entitled people to continue to be entitled. Just like the women I saw in the 5 Points Publix in Lauderdale the other day that had her little Fi-Fi dog in her arms . . .at the deli.
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OK “Kevin ” plane and simple, it’s against the law to bring a non service dog in places that sell or serve food. No defense.
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People need to keep theyr dogs out of Groceries stores, Restaurants and Malls. This is way out control here. Why do I want to go to a restaurant and have dog hair flying around while am trying to eat. I have actually seen a lady’s dog at the Boca mall pee on the floor and the lady didn’t even clean it. She just walked away.
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Thank you! I can’t stand all the Karen’s! Nobody knows if this is a service dog and could’ve put his image in a publication, causing public humiliation for no reason.
Even if it’s an emotional support animal, some people get anxiety in public or can’t leave their homes. Look up Agoriphobia people.
The dog in this picture looks like it’s behaving, and it’s a hypoallergenic dog, it likely sheds less than a human does.
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Robert M Pagen : Curious, what “service” does your dog provide, outside of making you an entitled, selfish, “Florida Man” ?
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As a Professional Dog trainer I am in total agreement for not letting pets into the grocery stores.
I met with several Publix managers at different Publix locations, regarding bringing “Pets” into the grocery chain. It is important that people leave their pets at home and truly allow “Certified Service Animals” into their stores. I do bring certified service dogs into Publix, once they pass my 24 lesson program. Whenever I do bring a “Service Animal” into the store I meet with the front end or store manager and let them know, not like the Deli guy in the picture.
People that owned these trained dogs have also been trained along with their Service Animal. The Service Animal is required to perform a certain task.
Pets should be left at home.-
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You state you have a bonified service dog and you attack this so-called “Karen.” You know as well as we all do more people are taking advantage of the so-called loopholes to claim their dogs are service dogs when they are not. They have comfort dogs that they believe have the same privileges. They do not! It’s not a matter of how well-behaved a dog is it is a matter that if it is not a bonified service dog it is not permitted in places that sell or serve food. You’re defending illegal actions that cause some of us to breathe problems, fears, and life-threatening allegories. These laws protect you and allow you as you blame to bring your service dog into establishments that sell or serve food. We who are not as fortunate as you who do have these life-threatening conditions should be allowed the same privileges and protection under the same laws as you “Keven.” The bottom line it is against our laws to bring a nonservice dog into places that sell or serve food. No defense or excuse.
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While I understand that service animals are not required to wear vests, shouldn’t the owners WANT them to have a vest that shows that it is a service animal and people shouldn’t rush up to pet it? Can a service dog be distracted from its duty by receiving attention from another individual? (Asking to understand)
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The problem is the managers hands are tied. All they can ask according to ADA is ” Is this a service dog and is it trained to do a specific job” If they lie there is really nothing they can do. They cannot ask for papers.
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The 2nd question is not a yes or no answer. The question is WHAT specific tasks is your dog trained to perform for your disability?
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I’m a former publix employee n wen ever ppl brought in dogs….I was told let Management take care of it!!!
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This is a tough one for store employees. With all the crazies and drug induced illegals out there, most would prefer to ignore this issue .
Perhaps calling the police would better serve the purpose-but will the police even respond to the call with all other things on their plate that probably are more important-What is the penalty for this? -
The problem is leaving him in a hot car. The closest Walmart to me is 22 miles away. When I go into town it takes me all day to run errands. I bring my little dog along because he cannot wait for hours to go do his potty. Driving time is an hour to and from home. Then it’s the bank, Home Depot, Dollar Tree, etc. I stop at Walmart last because of the frozen stuff and refrig stuff. I cannot leave him in a hot car. Home doesn’t work because he has to potty.
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May I suggest you train your dog to be house trained, shouldn’t be in car, or pay someone to walk and watch the dog when you have your full day of errands. Besides being against the law, it is your choice to own the dog and you must take care of all that entails. Some people are highly allergic, asthmatic, fearful and dogs do not belong in stores except perhaps PetSmart. Many many people own dogs and follow the law and not bring them everywhere they go. Be considerate, not justify what order you shop in various stores or how many miles away.
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I totally agree with you.
I was on a restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale a few months ago when I heard what I thought was the servers feet making a sound on the floor as they came by our table.
Lo and behold, it was a dog not even 2 feet away from my seat!!
I am afraid of any size dog!
I immediately called for a server to relocate us to another table as the dog began to shake its fur everywhere and the owners were oblivious to what was taking place with their dog!!
THEY DID NOT CARE!!!!!
Dog owners sometimes think every one else is wrong when it comes to taking their pets everywhere and anywhere!!!
Sensible animal lovers know that not everyone wants to be around the animals they love for any number of reasons, and they really respect other folks’ feelings.
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Both stores have the service of online shopping for groceries. You have the option of delivery or you can pick up by parking in the pick up parking spots and they will bring groceries to your vehicle
I have a dog. I wish they would do an article about all the “entitled” people who are not picking up groceries but feel it’s their right to park in those spots and then go shopping for an hour. Employees can not do anything about them either. Unfortunately the pick up number to call is on the sign they block in and the employees expect to find you in the designated spots. The reporters would do more for the public to do article and tell these entitled people, those spots are not for them and ask police why they dont ticket them. They are not receptive when you politely ask them to move. -
Did you know that you can leave your car turned on, leave the dog in the car, lock the doors, and take your remote with you? You are not allowed to violate the law and potentially cause a human injury simply because you have chosen to have a tiny dog.
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When I complained about it at the Fifth Shops Publix I was told only the managers(if they saw them) could ask them to leave. I’m skeptical that any manager enforces the law at Publix.
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As many have noted, the manager’s ability to “enforce” is very limited. They can ask if it’s a service animal and what service the dog performs. If the owner (lies and) says it’s a service dog, who, for example, warns the owner before a diabetic episode, there’s nothing the manager can do. The only solution is to require that owners obtain, and present, documentation.
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I don’t agree at all this man that is in the picture is the customer we banned from Aldi because the dog was very aggressive and bark to customers and kids and we caught the dog peeing on the floor on camera so he couldn’t come back in with that poodle and I’m a dog lover but I leave my Frenchie home when I go grocery shopping
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I call b.s. that the dog was banned from Aldi. First, it’s not a poodle, it’s clearly a doodle (mixed breed). and if u know anything at all about these dogs they are not aggressive at all.
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I blame Publix and Publix only they know what the law is and fail to enforce should b a fine given to Publix
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Insist on enforcement by the business. Fine, businesses, including Publix. Otherwise, it won’t ever stop.
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If the errant managers get demoted to cake decorators in the bakery, they might change their collective minds.
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Emotional support animals are not recognized by the ADA. Therefore,for the uneducated morons posting stupid crap, They DO NOT have the same protections as a service dog. Look it up.
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Jenny is correct, which is why airlines stopped allowing the fakers with their fake ESA animals and fake amazon purchased vests onto planes.
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That’s absolutely correct. Seeing eye dogs aka sight dogs are recognized, there are dogs that can detect if a disabled person is approaching a moment of having a seizure. Some are trained for assisting in walking but there is no official recognition of emotional support animals and the FAA no longer allows such animals to board airplanes.
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This bashing dogs who are more well behaved then most children and people is getting old and annoying. Cover real news!
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The statement that dogs are not allowed anywhere food is sold is incorrect. A lot of restaurants that have outside seating are dog friendly. Obviously you didn’t do your research before making such a statement.
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First I am a pet owner .. as an employee I have witness urinating dog , pooping dogs and dogs on the tray at self check out where you put your food .. before that the dog walked in from outside .. dogs laying in shopping carts after walking in from outside where you put your food purchases .. the best is customers who train there dog to pick up keys that is the latest on the lies to answer what service does your dog do ..barking nasty dogs which prove they do not belong in that social environment. The real Service Dogs that are truly trained have the sign on them and aren’t social unless the owner lets them they have a job to do and they are working when they come in a store . One person told us he was training a service dog that was lying in the cart . What training is that . All I have ever seen are leashed walk on there legs and stay next to there owner as they are working .. I always thank the owner of a service dog for the vest they have on that you can tell and you can tell a real service dog from the fakes . Oh yeh and the ones in baby carriage.. please .. what is that for to lazy to walk your dog and control them. Yes to see that is the truly ridiculous behavior of there owner and the ones in purses .. stop already . There not an accessory. Some of the dogs smell . From owners who probably should have them .. Who cleans up after the negative issues carts ,pee ,poop and employee because the owners I have seen laugh and walk away like it’s a oops . If the manager is there I have seen him request the customer clean up after there pet and still they will stay in the store RUDE BEHAVIOR.. is out of control . Customers need to know let management know do not confront the person . As ADA does protect the real service dog and owner . As an employee I’m not allowed to comment to the customer or about the customer . I read in one comment they had shopping to do and they animal would have to pee . Are you gone shopping 8 hours or more than train your dog on a pee pad like many people do . All my dogs learned to hold it till I got home from work 9 hours later . Until they where trained they where in a kennel till trained and I came home . All dogs where trained and that is the responsibility of they owner to train your dog .. no the breed and anticipate there behavior as a owner . Knowledge and Educated owners .
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T9he bad of health does not allow dogs to be where food is sold. The reason is that even sweet nice dogs could bite someone. Also, dogs could lick a package of food and by that act. S
spittle could pass through the plastic covering the food and pass on to the food.
the food passing bacteria on to the food. I love dogs but food stores are not the place for dogs. Please read this without getting angry. Thank you.-
Emotional support animals should be allowed, because they are there for people who have anxiety and to calm them down. However, I do see the problem with fur getting places it shouldn’t be, and folks not cleaning up after them.
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There is a difference between a psychiatric service dog and an emotional support dog. An emotional support dog/animal would be for someone with mental health issues that are not debilitating to the point of inability to function on a daily basis who just make the person feel better (ex. my controlled manic depression and my cats). A psychiatric service dog is a true service dog because it provides support for a behavior that impacts the person’s ability to function in everyday life, such as someone with OCD who gets caught in repetitive behaviors, the dog breaks that behavior so the person can continue with their tasks. So, no, an emotional support dog should not be allowed in the store where dander can impact others or where bacteria/parasites can be transferred from paws/coat to food.
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