Dogfree

But we are the most intelligent beings, ever—capable of profound, complex thoughts, which we can express to each other thanks to the hundreds of intricate languages we have developed over our species’ history.

Khazan stated, "as I read my same unpopular views, reflected back by other people, I was overcome by the thrill of being truly known, by the unmistakable gasp of catharsis... let's just get this out of the way: I don't like dogs.

"[6] Interviewed for Express, journalist Helen Carroll discussed her annoyance over "dog culture" and stated, "if your face gives away the fact that you'd rather not be licked by a tongue recently used to clean a bottom, they [owners] look at you like you're a psychopath."

There is little to no input existing on how autistic people with a dislike, fear or aversion to dogs think of this issue, as the topic is taboo and debates are mostly relegated to autism-themed social media forums.

While dogs in the UCC atrium or puppies in lecture halls might offer emotional support for some students, they can bring physical discomfort to others.

Allergy attacks are both mentally and physically consuming; my hands are occupied with tissues as I blow my nose and I struggle to see as my eyes water and itch.

[12] Some dogfree people have cited bad childhood experiences with dogs as the reason behind their attitude, according to Janine Israel of The Guardian.

[13] Writer Tatiana Gallardo of The Fordham Observer concurred and shared her own bad experience when her parents purchased a pet dog for her family: "Instead of adoration, I felt excessive apathy.

Standing outside in the freezing cold every morning with a doggie bag in my hand while awaiting some fresh, warm animal poo didn't give me a rush of excitement that an owner might feel.... After owning her for two years, I realized the undeniable: Most dogs are dirty and smelly.

Maybe it's my inner introvert talking, but I don't want to come home to a dog sticking its nose in my business and begging for attention.

"[14] One man (anonymous) was covered in an article for Fox News after coming out as dogfree and describing an incident in which multiple unleashed dogs approached his child and wife in the park, causing the man and his wife to pull their child away and shout profanities at the owner of the dogs.

[15] The Dogfree movement has received little to no in-depth research or attention into the phenomenon, remaining largely anonymous and contained to social media.

Sam Basso, who founded his Phoenix-based company SamTheDogTrainer in 1996, expressed extreme criticism of dogfree people and referred to them as "anti-social nutcases", arguing, "they [dogfree people] will try and ban dogs from housing, hiking trails, family cook outs, the workplace, beaches, any off leash areas, parks, etc.

"[16] Olga Khan, while an admitted dogfree person, suggested in her article "I Don't Like Dogs" that while she did find solace in the Reddit group r/Dogfree and agreed with most of it, she found some of the posts there overzealous.

Vinopal had reached out to the moderators of r/Dogfree for an official interview, but the moderators declined and encouraged the Reddit group's followers to also refrain from speaking to the media, pointing out that any time the media has done any coverage of the Dogfree movement, r/Dogfree has been met with intense internet backlash rather than genuine curiosity and compassion.

[19] Writer Luke Winkie also noted the misconception that the Dogfree movement supports abusing animals as one potential reason for backlash against it, but argued that while the topic of humane euthanasia is sometimes discussed, the Dogfree movement does not condone, glorify or support animal abuse or harming dogs.

While she acknowledges “being able to nurture a pet is a nice quality”, she is simply “not a dog person and I'm a bit allergic”, which she makes clear on her dating profile.

[24][25] Sevigny also received some support for her comments, with some commenters referring to her words as "so real" and saying of Sevigny, "she's the bravest soldier for coming out and saying it.”[26] In 2024, some public controversy arose when it was announced in the media that Wales was considering designating some spaces as "dog-free zones" where no domestic dogs would be allowed to enter, in an effort to curb "racism" (some ethnic and religious minorities arriving via immigration considered dogs unclean or did not want to be near them).

This idea would have involved designating certain public greenspaces, forests and indoor commercial areas as "dogfree" - not legally accessible to domestic pet dogs.

The concept was met with strong criticism including from GB News political commentator Mike Graham, who considered the idea "crazy!"

[27][28][29][30] In recent years, especially with increased awareness of climate change and rapid urbanization of natural and rural spaces, there has been attention to the damage that domestic dog ownership has on the planet.

We don't even give our country's human veterans or victims of sexual assault the same level of attention as we do to "traumatized" animals, so why would I care if your "fur-baby" is scared of thunderstorms and you think it needs Prozac?"

[35][36] In the 1993 American biographical war drama film Heaven & Earth, Vietnamese war bride Le Ly Hayslip arrives with her American husband in San Diego during the early 1970s, and is bothered to discover that her mother-in-law's suburban house is filled with small pet dogs that rub up against people and beg under the table at dinner while being fed directly from the forks that people are using.

""[39] The fictional character Hyacinth Bucket (portrayed by actress Patricia Routledge) in the 1990s British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, does not like dogs and will not have them in her house.

BritBox later uploaded a video for the official YouTube channel of Keeping Up Appearances titled "Hyacinth's Hilarious Experiences With Dogs".

Critic Tony Sokol of Den of Geek noted the episode's accurate portrayal of "dog culture" ("Who doesn't love cute puppies, playing piano, getting their snouts stuck in pickle jars or scratching their butts along the concrete to clean their fire hydrant debris?")