Every dog has its day, but not at the hot bar, folks.
Whole Foods has come under fire after a photo of a shopper holding her dog dangerously close to consumables went viral.
The offending image shows a customer casually browsing the buffet counter while holding her small white dog, with said pet’s tail and nether regions hovering near the open food.
Originally shared on Reddit, the pic was met with a barrage of backlash.
“‘The dog’s backside is literally above the food,” wrote one horrified user. “If it farts, it’s going straight onto the hot bar.’
The Amazon-owned supermarket chain, known for its high-priced organic selections and devoted clientele, has yet to respond to the photo; however, employees were quick to join the chorus of criticism.
“I work at Whole Foods and cannot stand the entitlement of our customers. I’m so over it. Always speak to store leadership about these a–holes, please, we beg you,” quipped one.
Another former employee shared that entitled dog owners routinely put other customers at risk.
“When I worked at Whole Foods, there was a lady with a dog in her arms picking up individual foods with her hand, letting the dog bite or sniff, then putting it back if he didn’t eat the whole thing…After working there, I would never eat that hot bar.”
“‘I see at least one every shift – my record is four,” wrote another. “Maybe 30 percent are service dogs, and that’s being generous. I know WF has hippy roots, but that’s crazy.”
The above commentator was among several people who noted that the dog could be a service animal and thus permitted in the store, albeit not within farting range of the hot food.
“Even service animals have to stay on the ground, not held above the food on the hot bar,” one user argued.
As a general rule, Whole Foods locations are not pet- or dog-friendly.
However, per the grocery store’s website and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), “Whole Foods Market welcomes all Service Animals. Our ‘No Pets’ policy does not apply to Service Animals.”
Still, some say the policy is loosely enforced, if at all.
“These laws federally protect real, actual service animals, not some basic b—‘s pet. Totally inappropriate. Totally selfish. Totally ridiculous,” said another.
Others introduced a bit of levity to the pet melee.
“Your emotional support dog is stressing me out,” said one
“‘Dogs are actually really good at picking out food. I’m super indecisive and have dietary restrictions – if I could bring a dog to help me choose, I would,” said one irresolute commentator.
“I promise you this dog is cleaner than some of my coworkers;),” quipped another.
However, dog experts disagree, dismissing the myth that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s.
“All you have to do is look, watch, smell, and you’ll realize that is not true,” Dog expert Marty Becker told The Post.
“They raid the garbage can. We give each other a peck on the cheek when we say hello; they give each other a peck on the rear end.”
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