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Pets on Buses


JustMe
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This really is aggravating to read! I am lucky enough to have my own transport suitable for my 2 dogs however if I didn't I would fully feel it was my right as a council tax payer to take them on the bus!

Reasoning like dogs with 'soft stools' soiling the bus are obsurd! Do you assume dog owners would have no issue with this? Any responsible dog owner would have bags to clean it up or have given there dog sufficient opertunity to 'go' prior to the journey. They would be totally ashamed and shouldn't have used the bus if they assumed it was a risk. Shall we ban travel sick and drunk people from buses? I'm sure vomit would meet all the same criteria, with a displayed soiling charge that could also be issued to pet owners if needs be.

I wouldnt let my dogs on my seats at home so wouldn't do it on a bus either.

The whole issue here is not what the dog may do on the bus it's what the irresponsible dog owner might do with the dog! This covers it's behaviour around people, children, other dogs and the potential stress of being on a bus!

I sympathise with allergy sufferers but should I be singled out as being a dog owner thus find my own way? Surely if you have specialised needs you should maybe seek your own way? Will we ban smokers for asthmatics or perfume wearers for smokers?

I'm sure many children with there screaming, ice cream sticky hands and kicking feet would cause just as much of an issue on public transport? Not to mention there ability to bite but I think we'd all agree you can't ban them?

Buses are a lifeline service FOR ALL unfortunately if we all can afford to have strong opinions on who should or shouldn't be able to use the bus maybe we should afford our own personal transport and allow those potentially less fortunate (Eco friendly, more organised or any other reason to travel by bus) to make there own decision and rely on the common sense of the driver prior to taking there pets onboard.

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This really is aggravating to read! I am lucky enough to have my own transport suitable for my 2 dogs however if I didn't I would fully feel it was my right as a council tax payer to take them on the bus!

Being a council taxpayer wouldn't give you a leg tae stand on taking a dog into my workplace. Don't know why you'd think it'd make a difference for a PRIVATE bus company? Been a long time since Regional Council's owned bus companies south, was under the impression that that sort of set up never happened here. "Public Transport" refers to the fact that it's mass transportation for members of the public - not that it's run by the "coonty".

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the added fact that the animal maybe infectious and be a risk to the other passangers animals. if the animal is sick the vet will visit. if its just routine check with the vets they may pop in and see your dog when they are near. however its not the best transport for an animal going to see the vet. your not going to be going straight there and back lots of hanging around.

the obligation is on you not the bus company to get you animal treatment. if your really stuck beg a neighbour or speak to the local inspector of the sspca.

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"Public Transport" refers to the fact that it's mass transportation for members of the public - not that it's run by the "coonty".

 

The SIC pays the bus companies to provide the service and specifies the level of service.

And in some cases owns the buses used.
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Check out the messages on the Knab path for responsible dog owners.

Has this thing just happened or has there been a ban on animals on the buses for years?

What I would like to add is where is the community spirit here, one householder helping another in a time of need?

If you own an animal, and cannot afford to take care of all its needs should you then own that animal.

If you cannot convey your sick animal to the vets and cannot afford the vet to come to you, perhaps you should consider re-homing your animal. The big thing here is the animals well being!! That MUST come first.

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Check out the messages on the Knab path for responsible dog owners.

Has this thing just happened or has there been a ban on animals on the buses for years?

What I would like to add is where is the community spirit here, one householder helping another in a time of need?

If you own an animal, and cannot afford to take care of all its needs should you then own that animal.

If you cannot convey your sick animal to the vets and cannot afford the vet to come to you, perhaps you should consider re-homing your animal. The big thing here is the animals well being!! That MUST come first.

 

1. Not all dog owners are irresponsible.

 

2. No idea.

 

3. Where is the community spirit in accepting that pets should be permitted on buses?

 

4. It isn't always a question of cost but practicalities.

 

5. A dog, for example, could be diabetic/epileptic/need eye drops and need frequent visits to vets. As mentioned earlier, pet owners in Lerwick previously met some posters' "critieria" - they would walk to the vets in Lerwick but now there is not a vets in Lerwick. Animal well-being includes good socialisation - which includes getting them familiar with travelling on public transport!

 

Some of the excuses on here are, quite frankly, pathetic. In cases of absolute dire emergencies, responsible dog owners with a dog with the runs, for example, would get a vet visit. What we're talking about here is, hypothetically, a scenario where you've got a pensioner with an elderly animal with long term health conditions who can't get her mutt/moggy to a vets because taxis won't take them/buses won't take them. Or perhaps just anyone of any age who has been invited to see friends/relatives at the other end of the island and, being a responsible say dog owner, knows how much relatives/friends and their kids get on with their mutt and wants to visit thus socialising mutt even more. Now under new legislation, they couldn't leave said mutt home alone for hours on end as they would not be meeting the animals' needs.

 

Screaming kids are allowed on long haul flights, quite often with their parents expecting you to love them too, giving cabin crew nightmares as they've blocked the loo again with the nappies. Kids cry their heads off on a 9 hour flight, stink of poo and their parents shove them in your faces and say "Isn't he/she lovely?" Then their other offspring, covered in icecream, decides to shove their wax-crayoned drawing in your face and covers your travel gear in ice cream too.

 

Do we ban kids on long haul flights? Do we suggest they should be put up for adoption? No, we TOLERATE them.

 

Are all animals long haired and moulting every day? If said dog owner allows said dog on seat, driver can boot them off the bus.

 

Adopt the same policy as elsewhere in UK - one mutt on bus at a time, more at driver's discretion.

 

Perhaps SIC could no doubt undertake a study - or cheaper still, send say 5 e-mails to other bus companies in the UK and see how they deal with the practicalities of allowing domesticated pets on buses.

 

I've yet to read of somebody being badly bitten on public transport by an animal; badly mauled by a squirrel on several occasions yes, killed by cows, yes - bitten by dog on a bus - no.

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I like the comparison of dogs to humans, very good.

 

I have never seen a cat on long haul flights.

 

It would not be fair to keep you in the dark so here is a link

 

http://www.wltx.com/news/national/article/137224/142/Dog-Gets-on-Bus-Bites-Children

 

So, dogs do bite folk on buses.

 

But as stated, it seems to be acceptable for the animal to be in a box for bus transportation. Many dogs can fit in boxes that can be carried.

 

Folk should help folk, the council are there to look after folk too yes I know, but to insist the council changes its policy because you got a dog that will not go into a box is a bit poor, what with cutbacks and the such, we are all in this together.

 

If you or other folk around you have large animals, and there are vehicles available get your pet checked by the vet at regular intervals, why wait for there to be an emergency.

 

I think it is right to bar free wandering animals.

 

Put a few pennies away each day in a jar, just incase you do need to get a taxi for your ailing pet, or GET INSURED perhaps, this may cover for call outs.

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I'm not saying that a dog shouldn't go on a bus. I have taken a dog on a bus down south, and a damn big dog at that :)

 

I'm saying I can understand the reason *why* bus companies may not want them.

 

To aidank, I'm sure most dog owners would indeed be mortified if a dog had an 'accident' on the bus, and would no doubt try and get it cleaned up.

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To SP - no UK reporting of dogs biting on buses, just USA then eh?

 

SP, it isn't a change of Council Policy - Zettrans have already requested it, it is the bus companies that are dictating the terms and saying no.

 

Re insurance - no, insurance does not cover for home visits!

 

The comparison between humans and dogs is relevant - tolerance. Some humans choose not to have children but are expected to tolerate children. Likewise, some humans choose not to have pets.

 

You don't see moggies on long haul flights because PROVISION has been made for them to travel elsewhere on said plane but they are, nevertheless, quite often on the plane (Just as you can take animals on Northlink).

 

To DizzyKipper - I understand where you are coming from but I reckon the whole thing regarding not allowing pets on buses in Shetland is all to do with the contractors doing as little as possible for as much dosh as possible. Now they wouldn't like it if a company from the mainland was invited to tender for the services and before anyone screams about loss of jobs for existing bus drivers, then no doubt they would be TUPE'd over and jobs protected.

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Mainland bus companies can tender for any subsidised service if they want to. Can only think that Stagecoach, First group and Arriva have so far decided that although running buses in Shetland must one day form part of their plans for world domination it is not exactly their highest priority. That said Stagecoach operate in Orkney. OK so that comes from them buying Rapsons but if Rapsons had not pulled out of Shetland after having bought Shalders of Scalloway some of our buses might already have the Stagecoach name.

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When I saw the title I thought someone with a bit of business acumen had started a mobile 'Pets At Home' service......ah well, never mind....

 

Anyway my dogs a damn sight cleaner and better behaved that some of the stinking foulmouthed eejits I've had to tolerate on buses over the years. :P

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Surely there's also a point to be made here that if we were still graced with the 57 seat carpetted 'long distance' buses that realistically had no space for dogs, wheelchair users or really anything else it would be irresponsible to take most larger pets on anyway but with our modern uncomfortable hose down floor cattle carrying replacements there's ample room (all be it potentially standing) allowing for elderly or wheelchair bound passengers.

As for 'catching' anything from dogs I'd far rather share my time with them than most snurty nosed wheezing coughing human passengers?

Perhaps we should approach the authorities banning people from using the bus to the doctors? Could suggest people bein proactive, excercising having regular checkups and a healthy diet or a little doctor day collection jar for taxi's (just exposing the driver to the potensially lethal contagous threat) or claim on there health insurance for transport oh no.... Sorry shetlandpeat it's obviously different for humans and dogs....

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How silly of me to think that dogs in another country do not count.

 

There was a woman who did allege such an attack, but the police failed to take it up.

 

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23815218-dog-attacked-me-on-the-bus-but-police-didnt-even-look-at-cctv.do

 

It also seems that the incidents of attacks by dogs is increasing.

 

http://www.ukandspain.com/dangerous-dogs/

 

there are pictures of injuries on the above site.

 

With the increase in attacks, I would worry about folk who really have a need for dogs, they need the dogs to go about their lives.

 

http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/guide-dogs-for-the-blind-association/dog-attacks

 

I do feel, until dogs are more controlled and not used by some as an extension of their lacking parts then there will be some folk who are not happy with dogs.

 

Anyhow, children are humans dogs are not. I do understand that some folk will regard their pet as their best friend, that is why I am sure they will do all they can to look after them.

 

Do buses run all through the night?

 

How would you ensure emergency treatment when they (buses) are not running?

I would dispute the statement made that insurance does not include home visits. I have checked

https://www.petplan.co.uk/therightcover/dog.asp

 

I could not find any exclusions on home visits.

 

The right policy would cover this and will be available. Many vets will do a finance deal with you as well.

 

If you love your animals you will ensure you have the means to care for them. Insurance is the best way.

 

I would like to add that not all owners of animals are cruel, irresponsible of have tiny parts.

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How silly of me to think that dogs in another country do not count.

 

There was a woman who did allege such an attack, but the police failed to take it up.

 

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23815218-dog-attacked-me-on-the-bus-but-police-didnt-even-look-at-cctv.do

 

It also seems that the incidents of attacks by dogs is increasing.

 

http://www.ukandspain.com/dangerous-dogs/

 

there are pictures of injuries on the above site.

 

With the increase in attacks, I would worry about folk who really have a need for dogs, they need the dogs to go about their lives.

 

http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/guide-dogs-for-the-blind-association/dog-attacks

 

I do feel, until dogs are more controlled and not used by some as an extension of their lacking parts then there will be some folk who are not happy with dogs.

 

Anyhow, children are humans dogs are not. I do understand that some folk will regard their pet as their best friend, that is why I am sure they will do all they can to look after them.

 

Do buses run all through the night?

 

How would you ensure emergency treatment when they (buses) are not running?

I would dispute the statement made that insurance does not include home visits. I have checked

https://www.petplan.co.uk/therightcover/dog.asp

 

I could not find any exclusions on home visits.

 

The right policy would cover this and will be available. Many vets will do a finance deal with you as well.

 

If you love your animals you will ensure you have the means to care for them. Insurance is the best way.

 

I would like to add that not all owners of animals are cruel, irresponsible of have tiny parts.

 

My dogs just read this and told me she's going to bite your ass at the first opportunity.

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