Bunnings worker’s desperate plea for customers to stop bringing dogs into the store

A Bunnings employee has lashed out at dog lovers for bringing their puppies to the store, saying employees aren’t being paid enough to clean up the trash left behind by the animals.

The employee posted their complaint on social media on Tuesday after a customer snapped a photo of “Barney,” the blue heeler puppy who was sitting in a cart during his “first visit” to the store.

The hardware giant introduced its controversial policy to allow pets in the store in 2015 and faced backlash after a cavoodle was killed by a pit bull terrier in a Brisbane store last year.

But the employee’s complaint had nothing to do with dog fighting.

“I promise you, your dog will be fine at home,” the employee said. ‘Take them for a walk in the woods when they need the enrichment so badly’ (photo, a shop in Perth)

One user said pet owners should take responsibility for securing and tidying up their dogs (pictured, a couple enjoying an outing at Bunnings)

“Dear everyone who brings their dog to Bunnings,” read the employee’s post. “Please stop, I’m not getting paid enough to clean up your dog’s poop and poop.”

“If you can’t train your dog not to pee indoors or just don’t care about carrying poop bags, just don’t take your dogs to a literal store.

“I promise you, your dog will be fine at home. Take them for a walk in the woods if they so desperately need the enrichment. Sincerely, underpaid Bunnings employee.’

User comments cover ‘smallspringonion; went viral, drawing both support and anger from other users.

Bunnings has faced calls to ban pets after a cavoodle was run over by an uninhibited pit bull terrier at a shop in Stafford, north Brisbane last year (pictured, a dog walking around a Bunnings shop)

The company allows pets in the store as long as they are securely secured in a vehicle, trolley or on a leash, and are muzzled or worn (photo, some satisfied customers)

“The problem is not with the dogs or the policy, but with the owners of garbage dogs who cannot properly train and maintain their pets,” said one commenter.

“The number of people who don’t clean up their dogs in public is a joke. If they don’t even bother cleaning up dog poop, they shouldn’t have a pet,” added another.

‘But that’s a risk you take as a company when you let pets in. It doesn’t make it right or wrong,” wrote another.

“I worked at Maccas through high school and college and I can’t even count how many times I had to clean a stranger’s kids in the playground slides. But what can you do.’

The comments from the user handle smallspringonion (pictured) went viral, drawing both support and anger from other users

“The owner should still be held responsible for the actions of his pets. If they can’t be controlled, don’t take them out in public,” another person wrote.

“I suggest you take your dog to the park,” another advised.

Bunnings has faced renewed calls to ban pets after a cavoodle was mauled by an uninhibited pit bull terrier at a shop in Stafford in north Brisbane last year.

The company allows pets in the store as long as they are securely secured in a vehicle, trolley or on a leash and are wearing or wearing a muzzle.

Visitors have also been given cardboard for the animals in carts to sit on.

Bunnings’ General Manager of Operations Matt Tyler said: news.com.au the policy was here to stay.

“Customers have been bringing their dogs to our stores for years,” he says.

‘Dogs are allowed in our stores if they are friendly, under control and meet the eligibility requirements. We try to use common sense when welcoming dogs into our stores. This includes cleaning up dogs, which in most cases we take owners responsibility for.”

“With an evolving range of pets in store, we are increasingly becoming a destination for pet owners in the Australian market.”

Bunnings’ General Manager of Operations Matt Tyler said: “With an evolving range of pets in store, we are increasingly becoming a destination for pet owners in the Australian market”

Mr Tyler said the pet policy was here to stay (pictured, a dog customer eyeing a staple Bunnings snack)