Sad incident in New World Regent Today

Adelle from Central Whangarei

While shopping at New World Regent a woman made a nasty conment about my mothers hearing dog being in the shop. Sadly we had come from the dog park and while we were able to wash the dog the colloar smelled of what she had rolled in. Inca (a shitzu) was in her service coat walking nicely at heal and was having a fun day. She was cleaner than some of the shoppers in shop. We have now started going out and about again now that Covid is not such a risk to Inca or my mother. Her tail was up and wagging before this incident and while it was happening and for a little time after her tail was between her legs and she was shaking. This is not a good look for a service dog or any dog for that matter.

When the woman would not accept that this dog had the right to be there I went and got helpful staff who were great and surporrtive.

A note to anyone who has issues with dogs in shops. Talk to the staff not the person. While people with Service dogs are understanding and helpful in explaining what the dog does and how we have to prepare for a shopping trip others may not be.

Please for your own saftey talk to staff as those who ignore the rules might be more aggressive than their dogs.

Thank you to the staff for your help with this hopefully out next trip in won't be as scary.