A health professional urged pet owners to consider public hygiene after spotting a dog inside a supermarket shopping basket.
Physician Mariae Mistica Edquid, an internal medicine specialist known online as “Ate Dok,” shared a picture of a pet dog sitting in a grocery cart at a popular supermarket chain.
“Kawawa naman ‘yung aso, pero mas kawawa ‘yung susunod na gagamit ng basket na ‘yan,” she wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday, August 10.
“‘Yung basket na ‘yan, susunod ilalagay diyan, gulay, tinapay, prutas, pagkain ng bata… tapos may laway, balahibo, at dumi mula sa aso? Hygiene isn’t just about you, it’s about the people who come after you. Love for pets should never mean neglect for others,” the content creator added.
Ate Dok added that if fur parents want to prove they are responsible, they should do so by respecting everyone’s cleanliness and health.
The photo was previously posted by an online user on the Meta-owned Threads platform on Friday, August 8.
“Ginawa na nilang tao. ‘Di naman ako against na ituring niyo ‘yang pamilya niyo, ganun din naman ako sa mga aso at pusa ko. Pero parang OA na yata ‘yung ganyan. Nilalagyan ‘yan ng pagkain eh,” the Threads user said.
View on Threads
Another online user also witnessed a similar incident, where a pet dog was placed in a supermarket basket.
View on Threads
Others suggested that pet parents use a “pet stroller” instead of allowing their animal companions to sit in areas not intended for pets.
“Juskoo, afford kumain at magbayad [nang] mahal pero sana naman invest din sa pet stroller. PLEASE,” a different Threads user wrote.
Some called the attention of the supermarket chain’s owner, noting that both photos were taken in the same grocery store, although it was unclear if they were from the same branch.
“@smsupermalls, please do something about it,” a Threads user wrote.
“Dapat diyan bigyan ng action ng SM,” another said.
Cases of pet owners allowing their animal companions to use items intended for humans in public places have been increasing.
Last week, a fur parent was seen allowing her dog to sit on top of a table at a food establishment.
Last month, a video went viral showing another dog sitting on a high chair in a fast food chain, a seat intended for babies and toddlers. The animal was also reportedly seen drinking water from a glass.
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) had reminded pet owners of their responsibility when it comes to bringing their four-legged companions into public.
“As more public places recognize the deep bond between people and their companion animals and welcome pets, it’s more important than ever for us, both as pet lovers and responsible members of the community, to uphold a shared sense of responsibility in public spaces,” the organization said before.
“We know how much our pets mean to us; they’re beloved members of our families. And with the growing acceptance of pets in public spaces comes a critical responsibility: to safeguard these spaces by respecting boundaries and protecting the health and well-being of both people and animals,” it added.
“Respecting these distinctions is not only a matter of public health, but also one of mutual respect and social harmony,” PAWS said.
