Although Bunnings’ stores have long been known as “safe spaces” for Australians and their pets, their animal policy is now under debate following a recent fatal attack in Queensland.
On Sunday afternoon, an unrestrained pitbull attacked and killed a smaller animal in a Bunnings store in the northern Brisbane suburb of Stafford. Although the small dog was rushed to an emergency vet, it unfortunately couldn’t be saved.
The incident enraged people on social media, with many calling on Bunnings to ban animals entirely. Currently, pets are welcome in stores nationwide so long as they’re secured safely in a vehicle, on a lead and wearing a muzzle or being carried by their owner.
However following the incident, social media users have urged the store to do an overhaul of the current policies. One commenter wrote on Facebook, “Leave your dog at home and don’t say they love it [Bunnings] “THEY CAN’T TELL YOU”. Pets are for your home unless working or therapy!”
While another wrote, “And the next time it is a little kid that is killed? Ban them! It’s a shop not a dog park! People have allergies and Bunnings all have food outlets that are not isolated from the rest of the shop.”
But others weren’t as convinced, with many saying that not being able to bring their dog into the store would be difficult in their circumstances. One person wrote, “I take my old dog with me. He suffers anxiety attacks when alone.” While another said, “We are grey nomads and travel with our dog, so need to take her in. She wears a soft muzzle and is on a lead.”
Another said that although it might be easy for those who live near a store, those in remote areas could struggle. “What about rural people? I often need to take a dog to town for vets. Should I leave the dog in the car in 40 degrees or should I drive the 45 minutes home and go back into town? One irresponsible owner should not dictate wholesale changes. Tradie or not, [the] dog should have been on a lead.”
Many commenters also said the issue was more to do with the owner than the dog or the in-store policy. “It’s not the dogs, it’s some dog owners that can’t be trusted to do the right thing,” one person wrote.
Speaking on Sunrise on Wednesday morning, broadcaster Justin Smith agreed that the blame should be put on the owner, saying it would be a “shame to ban every dog and punish every owner just because of one idiot”. Smith then went on to lash out at the owner of the unrestrained pitbull: “It’s like taking a gun in there – an unleashed dog like this. I really wonder how some of these people get through the day and feed and clothe themselves they’re that stupid. I actually think it’s time to start regulating people who have dogs that are known to be dangerous.”
In an official statement, Bunnings area manager Patrick Blair called the attack an “unfortunate incident”. He said the team at the Stafford store acted quickly to remind the owner of the store guidelines before they entered.
“We have been in touch with the other owner to offer support and our thoughts are with them. We’re working with council to assist with their investigation. We thank our team for the calm and professional way that they handled the situation.”