Woolworths customers are divided after a pair of dogs caused a stir in a supermarket by being placed in shopping trolleys without their owners in sight.
Customers at the supermarket in Ballina, on the New South Wales north coast, reported seeing the two Staffordshire bulldogs ‘running past’ them in the aisles on Wednesday.
A local resident took a photo of the dogs after staff managed to subdue them and put them in carts while they waited for a municipal ranger to come and collect them.
Although the dogs seemed very happy with it, the photo sparked a discussion about whether dogs should be allowed in stores.
Some social media users had issues with the hygiene of the dogs placed in the carts.
“I hope those two carts get a good cleaning before they’re used again,” said one user.
“It’s a bit weird to go shopping and use these carts after dogs have been in them,” wrote a second, who called it “disgusting.”
Others claimed that ‘people are dirtier than dogs’ and that the staff had found creative ways to deal with the Staffordshire dogs.
An image of two Staffordshire dogs being held in shopping trolleys after running amok in a Woolworths (pictured) has sparked a debate over dog hygiene in supermarkets
“I would much rather use a cart after a dog has been in it than use a cart after a stinking human has been in it,” wrote a third user.
Some locals even reported being in the mall while the dogs were running around.
“The Staffordshire gang tore past us, chased by two staff members,” one user wrote.
“They walked up and down a few aisles before they were caught.”
Another said they ‘saw them running around the fair like crazy’.
A Woolworths spokesperson previously said only certified assistance dogs, such as guide dogs, are allowed in the store.
“Under Australian law, customers with a guide dog or registered pets are welcome in our stores,” he said Yeah.
“But regular pets and pets are not allowed in our stores.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Woolworths and Ballina Shire Council for comment.