A physician has urged pet owners to think beyond their own affection for animals and consider the health of others after a dog was seen sitting inside a supermarket shopping basket.
Dr. Mariae Mistica Edquid, an internal medicine specialist known online as “Ate Dok,” posted a photo of the incident on Facebook, warning of the hygiene risks it poses.
“Kawawa naman ‘yung aso, pero mas kawawa ‘yung susunod na gagamit ng basket na ‘yan,” she wrote on August 10. She stressed that the same basket would later hold vegetables, bread, fruit, and even children’s food—potentially contaminated with a pet’s saliva, fur, or dirt. “Love for pets should never mean neglect for others,” she added.
The image, originally shared on Threads on August 8, drew mixed reactions online. Some netizens suggested that pet owners invest in a pet stroller, while others called on the supermarket chain to take action, claiming similar incidents had happened in the same store.
This is not the first time a pet in a public space has stirred debate. Recent viral clips have shown dogs sitting on tables, high chairs meant for children, and even drinking from glasses in restaurants.
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has previously reminded fur parents that while more establishments are becoming pet-friendly, the privilege comes with the responsibility to keep public areas clean and safe for everyone. “Respecting these distinctions is not only a matter of public health, but also one of mutual respect and social harmony,” the group said.
