All it took was one social media post, and everything exploded between Balay Dako’s pet-friendly policy!
Balay Dako, a Filipino restaurant in Tagaytay City, got in trouble when a diner posted her disappointment about the establishment’s pet-friendly policy on Facebook.
Lara L. Antonio, the poster, stated, “We got turned away from Balay Dako today for what I can only guess is because Yoda is an Aspin.” Netizens were quick to comment on the incident, especially since Lara showed receipts of the restaurant’s claim in their inclusivity.
Furthermore, Lara found a photo on Balay Dako’s social media pages showing a golden retriever, indicating that they are pet-inclusive. She had dined there with her dogs without issues, so she was understandably confused about the sudden change.
Yoda and Ari, the dogs in question, were weighted average in terms of domestic Filipino breeds, which means they only weighed below 20 kg. However, the restaurant staff specified that only pets below 15 kg are permitted to enter the premises for safety reasons. To make things worse, the staff even asked, “Ano pong breed nya?” (What breed is it?), fueling the fire.
A Concern for Safety vs A Case of Domestic Breed Discrimination
As Lara spoke with the restaurant manager, she found the manager’s responses becoming even more vague in an attempt to justify the weight limitation with the statement, “The dogs allowed are shih tzus, labradors…” Lara then questioned why they allow labradors, given their average weight starts at 25 kg, as opposed to aspins, who weigh just between 9 kg and 20 kg.
“So, what’s clear to me is that THEY DECIDE. They’ll decide based on what your dog looks like. And then they’ll let you know just like that.”
Lara
In response to the incident, Balay Dako apologized on its Facebook page. They indicated that the denial of entry was simply due to their concern for the safety of their guests as there was already an animal-bite accident that occurred before with a dog of a larger size. Many reacted with laughing and angry emojis, alongside negative comments targeted towards the establishment, especially since their apology was a generic statement. The restaurant did not indicate a call to action, nor did Lara receive any personal call from them to apologize for the inconvenience.
The pet-friendly policy is observed and posted as a way to get more people to visit establishments and companies. At this point, there are times when it just becomes a marketing tactic instead of genuine inclusivity. This incident is one example of how the fine print is essential to define a policy and protect both the company and its patrons.
So, Sugboanons, what do you think about this viral issue? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
