Jeremy Vine viewers clash as debate about dogs being allowed in restaurants takes vicious turn

JEREMY Vine viewers have clashed with one another on social media over a debate on whether dogs should be allowed in restaurants.

Britain is fondly known as a nation of dog lovers, with many of us going the extra mile to make our four-legged friends part of the family.

But at what point do we draw the line and argue that some places, including restaurants, really are just for people and not for pets?

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, the official Jeremy Vine account posed that exact question to its followers – but things soon took a vicious turn.

Addressing its 154k followers on the platform, fans of the show were asked: “Should we let dogs into all restaurants? And all pubs, cafes and shopping centres for that matter?

“More than a quarter of us own a dog, so is it time we let man’s best friend follow us everywhere we go?”

However, instead of turning into a civilised debate, dog owners and, presumably, those that have cats, were locked in deep keyboard combat with one another.

Replying to the thread, one person exclaimed: “Yes! Can’t understand why they are not allowed in places.

“Have you seen the state of some toilets in pubs, cafes and restaurants? Dogs are cleaner than some people!”

In a defiant reply, another user argued: “Not only am I allergic to dogs, I’m extremely nervous around them. Surely it’s down to the individual business owner?

“Absolutely fine if you want to allow dogs in – I just won’t go. I will, however, go to restaurants where dogs are not allowed.”

Echoing their comments, someone else said: “No. Whilst I love dogs, many of us have extreme allergies and others have a fear of them.”

In the UK, there is currently no explicit law that dictates dogs cannot enter an establishment.

That is, though, as long as they don’t enter where food is being prepared and cooked.

It is a business to business policy and the decision is made at the behest of the proprietor.