Redditor Asks If It Was Wrong For Yelling At Woman For Letting Her Dog Drink From Human Fountain

"The dog was licking the spout"

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• August 4, 2023

In the sweltering summer heat, community parks serve as an oasis for both humans and their furry companions. However, a recent incident has brought to light an issue of contention over shared public facilities.

A woman found herself under fire for allowing her petite purse dog to drink directly from a water fountain meant for humans, stirring up an intense debate over park etiquette. The parks in this city, known for its bitterly cold winters and blazing hot summers, are equipped with specially designed water fountains.

These fixtures feature an upper part for human use and a lower section with a pedal-operated bowl for dogs to drink from. It's a thoughtful arrangement, providing a quick refreshment spot for everyone, including pets.

On one particularly scorching day, a park-goer and his dog, Nathaniel, witnessed an unexpected sight: a woman was holding her small dog up to the human part of the fountain, letting it quench its thirst. The sight of the dog licking the spout led him to confront the woman.

His reaction was fueled by the woman's dismissal of the 'icky bowl' the park provided for dogs. He argued that if she was uncomfortable with the communal dog bowl, she should carry her own and fill it with the provided water. His confrontation, louder than he initially intended, drew the attention of other park users who began to voice their disapproval.

The woman defended her actions, claiming she does this regularly and her dog wasn't dirty. She faced backlash with comments highlighting that even if her dog is clean, it's still an animal prone to behaviors unsuitable for a public human fountain.

In the aftermath, the park-goer's boyfriend noted that he may have embarrassed her, suggesting a more non-confrontational approach. Yet, it brought to light an important issue about shared spaces and the need for respecting community hygiene standards, even when it comes to our furry friends.

OP asks:

On one particularly scorching day, a park-goer and his dog, Nathaniel, witnessed an unexpected sight: a woman was holding her small dog up to the human part of the fountain, letting it quench its thirst.

His reaction was fueled by the woman's dismissal of the 'icky bowl' the park provided for dogs

The woman defended her actions, claiming she does this regularly and her dog wasn't dirty.

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:

There is a separate tap for a reason...

"She's getting gross dog germs all over everything. "

She needed called out on this disgusting behavior

This dog owner carries a bottle with a bowl attached. It is a god way to ensure your dog doesn't have to drink from communal bowls

OP should've told her:

The bottom line is:

This situation sparks an essential conversation about communal respect and basic hygiene in shared public spaces. It's clear that the woman's actions, while not intended to harm or inconvenience anyone, were out of line with general community expectations.

The park's facilities are designed to cater to both humans and pets distinctly. Ignoring this separation not only breaks park rules but also disregards the hygiene concerns of fellow park-goers.

Damjan