SIR: Recently I went into a butcher's shop. As I was entering, a lady was coming out and saying quite loudly that she objected to dogs being in food shops and, in particular, butchers' shops.

As I went in, I saw a dog and a lady holding onto it by a lead. Nevertheless, the dog was jumping up at the counter and sniffing around everything.

I too objected to this and said to the two men behind the counter that I objected to this dog and dogs in general being in shops. The two men made no remark, but the younger of the two just shrugged his shoulders.

In the meantime, the lady with the dog verbally abused me. I told the butcher that he had lost a good customer and I left without buying anything.

With all of the great concern that we say we need to have these days in regard to health and hygiene, which is better, to lose one customer who wants to take her dog with her everywhere she goes, or the probability of losing several customers who are concerned for their health and like to believe that they are going into a clean, hygienic shop

Mr J Hagan

Thistleton Road, Bolton

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