While this pooch-obsessed writer has personally never ventured into a Bunnings Warehouse (I thought everyone just went to the sausage sizzle while extremely hungover… no?), it was obvious that every Aussie dog-lover was extremely excited that the hardware giant had bettered their stores by becoming dog-friendly.
You might remember this study that came out last month, which explained that our dogs are often not as socialised as they are in other countries, simply because they are not allowed in so many places, e.g. shopping centres, pubs, or on public transport. They have to stay at home instead, and that’s obviously no good for their social skills.
But, Bunnings seem to be in a little bit of strife – four days after the ‘dogs allowed’ policy began, a little girl has been bitten by a dog in Victoria‘s Melton store.
Five year-old Madeleine Hungerford got nipped allegedly by a Jack Russell terrier, and her mum (unnamed) ain’t happy. She spoke to Neil Mitchell on 3AW this morning, explaining her recount of what happened.
“We were walking past two little dogs, one was being patted at the time and Madeline tried to pat the other one… It’s broken the skin just below her knee. She’s got two bite marks that broke the skin, a couple of bite marks around the side and bruising and swelling.”
Source: news.com.au.
Madeleine’s injuries may not sound like much, but Ms Hungerford said that she’d only just managed to get over a fear of dogs, so the incident has the potential to recall old fears and mentally scar her.
Despite Bunnings responding efficiently and offering to cover all of Madeleine’s medical bills, she said she wants the dog-friendly policy ‘dunzo’:
“Bunnings on a Sunday is really busy … It’s just not a good environment for a dog. We just don’t think dogs should be there.”
Poor puppers 
via Newscorp.
Image: Bunnings Warehouse.
NOTE: There’s no mention of how little Madeleine approached the dog – sometime a kid’s enthusiasm for puppy cuddles can come off as threatening to the pooch. Some dogs don’t respond well to being approached quickly or touched without permission, so always remind children to approach an unknown dog slowly, and to ask if you can pat them by slowing holding out your hand to let the pupper sniff you first.
