{"id":833618,"date":"2026-07-30T14:49:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T14:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/833618\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T14:49:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T14:49:18","slug":"should-bunnings-ban-dogs-debate-reignited-after-young-girl-attacked-by-rottweiler-in-delacombe-victoria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/833618\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Bunnings ban dogs? Debate reignited after young girl attacked by rottweiler in Delacombe, Victoria"},"content":{"rendered":"

The internet is once again divided over whether Bunnings<\/a> should ban dogs after a young girl was bitten<\/a> at a Victorian<\/a> store.<\/p>\n

The girl was sitting in a shopping trolley when another customer\u2019s rottweiler attacked<\/a> her at Bunnings Delacombe about 11.10am on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

She was rushed to Ballarat Base Hospital with a lower body injury, Ambulance Victoria said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

The City of Ballarat confirmed the incident and said the dog had since been euthanised.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dog was voluntarily surrendered by its owners for euthanasia, which took place on Wednesday afternoon,\u201d development and growth director Natalie Robertson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe City of Ballarat will conduct a thorough investigation and is unable to comment further while that process is underway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bunnings\u2019Bunnings\u2019 website states that assistance animals are always welcome, along with \u201cwell-behaved pets that are on a lead\u201d. Credit: Bianca De Marchi\/AAP<\/p>\n

The incident reignited fierce debate online, with many arguing dogs should no longer be allowed inside Bunnings stores.<\/p>\n

\u201cDogs do not belong in shops! The only ones permitted are working dogs!\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why people need to take their dogs shopping. It\u2019s not like they\u2019re giving an opinion on what to buy,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n

One dog owner said: \u201cIf I go to Bunnings with my dog he stays in the car. It\u2019s not a dog park.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Others argued only assistance animals should be allowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI personally think that only service dogs should be allowed at shops. I also think that people of all ages should not approach any dog without permission from the owner. Kids need to be aware that all dogs may not be friendly and caution must be a priority,\u201d one commenter wrote.<\/p>\n

Some said dogs should still be permitted, but only if they are muzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they want to allow dogs they should be muzzled,\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n

Another added: \u201cI feel for the young girl, I do. Absolutely horrible thing to happen and I hope she\u2019s OK. As a dog owner who often walks to Bunnings with my dog, I always have a muzzle on him. Even though he\u2019s super friendly, it\u2019s always best to take precautions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SomeSome people say only assistance animals should be allowed, while others insist responsible owners shouldn\u2019t be punished. Credit: Dogs of Bunnings – Australia & NZ\/Facebook<\/p>\n

Others argued banning dogs altogether would be an overreaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cTragic incidents happen, but demanding a ban or overreacting to every single event isn\u2019t realistic,\u201d one commenter said.<\/p>\n

Another wrote: \u201cSorry, but I\u2019ll be taking my dog to Bunnings every darn time. He sits in the trolley, on his blanket, and loves the attention. He is our family.\u201d<\/p>\n

The debate is not new.<\/p>\n

Bunnings previously said it would review its pet policy after another five-year-old girl was attacked by a dog inside its Melton store in 2015.<\/p>\n

Bunnings\u2019 website states that assistance animals are always welcome, along with \u201cwell-behaved pets that are on a lead\u201d.<\/p>\n

It is understood the retailer is currently focused on Wednesday\u2019s incident and is not reviewing its broader pet policy at this stage.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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