Dogs on Luas

Ashbx

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone had experience bringing their dogs on the luas? Would I get away with bringing her on my lap or keeping her in my arms at all times? She's a border terrier.

I know that dogs are allowed on if kept in a carrier case but I will be out for a few hours after I get off the luas and don't want to have to carry her carrier case the entire time.

Has anyone had any experience? Should I bring her on and hope for the best, should I ask the driver before I get on, or should I not risk it and just get a taxi?

I understand that people either don't like, fear or are maybe even allergic to dogs so I will of course be keeping these people in consideration. I will be getting it very early on a Saturday morning so I expect the luas to be quite quiet and I will stay up one end or the other to try minimise the amount of people I come across.

Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

joeguevara

I took a bulldog on the luas, dart and intercity train last month....no one said a thing and loads of people (including the conductor on the train) came up to pet him. He is a legend though!

VonVix

I once saw a woman told she couldn't come on the Luas by a ticket inspector when she had a tiny puppy sitting inside her jacket. So yeah, that's all the experience I have!

What about getting something like this? http://www.zooplus.ie/shop/dogs/dog_cages_carriers/travel_bags/fashionable_dog_bags_and_purses/359274

Ashbx

joeguevara wrote: »

I took a bulldog on the luas, dart and intercity train last month....no one said a thing and loads of people (including the conductor on the train) came up to pet him. He is a legend though!

Well of course he was let on if he was a ledge!

Ashbx

VonVix wrote: »

I once saw a woman told she couldn't come on the Luas by a ticket inspector when she had a tiny puppy sitting inside her jacket. So yeah, that's all the experience I have!

What about getting something like this? http://www.zooplus.ie/shop/dogs/dog_cages_carriers/travel_bags/fashionable_dog_bags_and_purses/359274

Yeah, I thought if I got the permission from the driver, it might stop the inspectors from kicking me off! But sure at the end of the day, the rules are there that no dogs are allowed so I am prepared to get off if im asked!

Thanks for the suggestion! Its a lot better option than lugging around a plastic carrier for the day!

VonVix

Ashbx wrote: »

Yeah, I thought if I got the permission from the driver, it might stop the inspectors from kicking me off! But sure at the end of the day, the rules are there that no dogs are allowed so I am prepared to get off if im asked!

Thanks for the suggestion! Its a lot better option than lugging around a plastic carrier for the day!

Even with the driver giving you the OK an inspector may just say "rules are rules" as there are stickers around saying dogs aren't allowed on the Luas.

It's such a pity there's no form of public transport that comfortably allows dogs. Even if there was a single carriage at the back just for the likes. Or even if it was allowed for dogs who had a Canine Good Citizen cert or something!

joeguevara

VonVix wrote: »

Even with the driver giving you the OK an inspector may just say "rules are rules" as there are stickers around saying dogs aren't allowed on the Luas.

It's such a pity there's no form of public transport that comfortably allows dogs. Even if there was a single carriage at the back just for the likes. Or even if it was allowed for dogs who had a Canine Good Citizen cert or something!

If that happens, just wait for the next luas. I have only ever seen 5 inspectors on the luas in the last 4 years.

316

Once they dont start barking or taking a dump I dont see any issue.

kylith

I often see terriers on the Luas. I'd say wait for the next one if there's an inspector on and you shouldn't have a problem.

Even before they were officially allowed on I brought Te on and the driver just came up to me at the terminus and said that in future I should slip off if there's an inspector on.

toadfly

316 wrote: »

Once they dont start barking or taking a dump I dont see any issue.

I'd chance it, you can always get off and get the next one. Just leave yourself enough time!

NicoleW85

joeguevara wrote:

I took a bulldog on the luas, dart and intercity train last month....no one said a thing and loads of people (including the conductor on the train) came up to pet him. He is a legend though!

I hope to meet him on the dart some time - LOVE Bulldogs!!! my boxer would just curl up on the floor and sleep haha

316

toadfly wrote: »

I'd chance it, you can always get off and get the next one. Just leave yourself enough time!

Could you toilet train your dog instead of it defecating and causing all sorts of issues.

Captain Chaos

Dogs are not allowed on the Luas. I was on the Red line a few months ago and the driver saw a small dog in a woman's arms on the CCTV and told her she had to leave a the next stop. When she refused to leave the tram the driver said the tram was going no further until she left. She then proceeded to cause a massive fuss, started fighting with passengers and then tried claim the terrier was a guide dog. The driver then left his cab and escorted her off the tram as she was going nowhere.

Basically no animals on any public transport except guide dogs.

tk123

316 wrote: »

Could you toilet train your dog instead of it defecating and causing all sorts of issues.

I think they mean they'll get off if there's an inspector not if the dog poos?

I know somebody who brings a terrier on every day but they gave a carrier backpack thing for him.

kylith

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Dogs are not allowed on the Luas. I was on the Red line a few months ago and the driver saw a small dog in a woman's arms on the CCTV and told her she had to leave a the next stop. When she refused to leave the tram the driver said the tram was going no further until she left. She then proceeded to cause a massive fuss, started fighting with passengers and then tried claim the terrier was a guide dog. The driver then left his cab and escorted her off the tram as she was going nowhere.

Basically no animals on any public transport except guide dogs.

That woman was stupid; she should have just gotten off and gotten back on the next Luas.

Small dogs are allowed on the Luas in a carrier, this was in the paper about 2 years ago. Since then I have seen many terriers on the luas without carriers.

Dogs are allowed on the bus at the driver's discretion.

The rules for the train state that they must be in a crate in the guard's van, but since there is no guard's van I put them in the luggage rack. I've only had problems in Dublin.

I don't think they're technically allowed on the Dart at all, but I've had mine in in their crates with no hassle.

Gongoozler

Have had to bring a dog on the luas a few times recently and it was fine. People were all smiley. no problems. Just kept him up on my lap, he wasn't bothering anyone.

There were even inspectors on one of the times, threw off some lads for holding the doors, never mentioned the open bottles they had, never said a word.

You'll most likely be fine. At most they'll tell you to get off, then just try the next one.

mosi

I've had each of the terriers on it on various occassions. As others have said, in a worst case scenario, just get off an on to the next one.
The only time anyone ever said anything to me was when I had my little terrier boy with me one time years ago and one of the Robocop security guys came over to tell me that dogs aren't allowed. He asked me what stop I was going to (it was a fair few stops away) and he let me stay on and just told me to be aware of the rules next time.
As he walked off, I heard him say to his colleague sarcastically, "what a scary dog!"

mosi

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Dogs are not allowed on the Luas. I was on the Red line a few months ago and the driver saw a small dog in a woman's arms on the CCTV and told her she had to leave a the next stop. When she refused to leave the tram the driver said the tram was going no further until she left. She then proceeded to cause a massive fuss, started fighting with passengers and then tried claim the terrier was a guide dog. The driver then left his cab and escorted her off the tram as she was going nowhere.

Basically no animals on any public transport except guide dogs.

She sounds as if she'd cause trouble, dog or no dog.

Ash.J.Williams

joeguevara wrote: »

I took a bulldog on the luas, dart and intercity train last month....no one said a thing and loads of people (including the conductor on the train) came up to pet him. He is a legend though!

they are!!

VonVix

I could never chance it, I'm too much of a wuss lol.

tk123

VonVix wrote: »

I could never chance it, I'm too much of a wuss lol.

People often assume my two are therapy/service/guide dogs in training so I reckon I might get away with it...But I'd feel too guilty :P

joeguevara

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Dogs are not allowed on the Luas. I was on the Red line a few months ago and the driver saw a small dog in a woman's arms on the CCTV and told her she had to leave a the next stop. When she refused to leave the tram the driver said the tram was going no further until she left. She then proceeded to cause a massive fuss, started fighting with passengers and then tried claim the terrier was a guide dog. The driver then left his cab and escorted her off the tram as she was going nowhere.

Basically no animals on any public transport except guide dogs.

This is not true. have a look at Irish Rails website regarding brining dogs on trains. They even have special places on carriages for them. Every day I see dogs on busses (not guide dogs) and no one bats an eyelid.

Ashbx

Yeah dogs are definitely allowed on Irish rail I know that for sure!

Judging by everyone's comments here I might risk it! Its only from Dundrum to Stephens Green so its only a short run! I am very aware of the other passengers though. I understand some people genuinely hate dogs or are allergic or scared or whatever their reasons are so I hope I don't annoy any other passengers by bringing her on. Shes harmless and wont cause any hassle anyway so fingers crossed no-one else has an issue with it.

As I said though, if someone askes me to get off the luas I have absolutely no issue with that at all (and wait for the next one of course! )

Defo wish Ireland was more dog friendly! Used to be alright! I remember getting the bus to school with my mam and our dog coming with us for the ride!

Thanks all!

Ashbx

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Dogs are not allowed on the Luas. I was on the Red line a few months ago and the driver saw a small dog in a woman's arms on the CCTV and told her she had to leave a the next stop. When she refused to leave the tram the driver said the tram was going no further until she left. She then proceeded to cause a massive fuss, started fighting with passengers and then tried claim the terrier was a guide dog. The driver then left his cab and escorted her off the tram as she was going nowhere.

Basically no animals on any public transport except guide dogs.

Oh jesus, id run if the driver called me over the intercom! Id be mortified!

stehyl15

Irelands such a differant country in berlin I came across a person who brought his pitbull on the metro over there. He was even putting his hand in his mouth and all.

mymo

As kids we used to get the bus in London with the dog, down to Regent's Park near the zoo from our nanny's. Sometimes if the dog got tired he'd toddle off to the bus stop and hop on the bus home, he always knew to get on the only single decker bus at the stop, the bus stopped at the end of the road my nanny lived on.

I've travelled on trains and buses in UK with dogs no problem, never tried here as I once saw a guy stuck at the ferry port as they wouldn't let him on the bus with his dog.

Vel

I am friends with someone who has often brought his dogs on the luas and they aren't lap dogs but rather two large lurchers! From what I recall him telling me, while there are signs saying that dogs aren't allowed on, in the bye-laws it states that it is at the discretion of the driver and the dogs must be crated. He has a large, fabric foldable crate that he can set up and pop the dogs into after he gets the nod from the driver. He was getting on at Stephen's Green though so was able to have a quck chat with the driver before the luas set off. Not sure who you would be able to get permission from the driver at any of the other stops.

Has anyone actually contacted the company who operate the luas to get their official line on it?

kylith

Those SofKrates are a godsend. They fold down to nothing and go up in seconds. I can't recommend them enough.

YurOK2

Just in relation to Irish Rail I contacted them to clarify their policy on carrying dogs on the Waterford-Dublin route about a year ago because the information on their website is vague and one part appears to conflict with another.
In my opinion, their reply suggests to me that it wouldn't be worth your time attempting to bring a dog on this particular route (I don't know what the story is with other routes).
I had asked if I could purchase the seat beside my seat to keep the crate on and if there was any possibility of arriving at the station on the day you intend to travel and being refused.

Thank you for your email. You can reserve this seat for the crate, however, if there are no seats available on the train and passengers are standing, then you will have to give up the seat. Along with this, any passenger who is uncomfortable with the presence of the animals can request that they be moved.

If there is no guard's van (non-passenger compartment) on a service, dogs (other than Guide Dogs, Assistance dogs and small/lap dogs) may not be carried on that train on your lap. As you have 2 small dogs, I am not sure if both will fit on your lap, or whether you can fit the crate on your lap?

With regard to the possibility of being refused travel on the day; Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail reserve the right to refuse to carry any animal which, in the opinion of station staff, is causing or is likely to cause inconvenience to passengers due to its size or behaviour. On train staff are also authorised to have such animals removed from the train. If you feel that your dogs will cause none of the above problems, then you should have no issues with bringing your dog on the train.

On behalf of Iarnròd Èireann Irish Rail I would like to thank you for your correspondence and please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further assistance.

So essentially, you can purchase an extra seat but there's no point.

I was also told that the Station Master can refuse to allow you onto the train with your pet and does not have to give a reason.

Ireland is not a country which is accessible to people who want to bring their pets on public transport. It's madness.

Ashbx

YurOK2 wrote: »

Just in relation to Irish Rail I contacted them to clarify their policy on carrying dogs on the Waterford-Dublin route about a year ago because the information on their website is vague and one part appears to conflict with another.
In my opinion, their reply suggests to me that it wouldn't be worth your time attempting to bring a dog on this particular route (I don't know what the story is with other routes).
I had asked if I could purchase the seat beside my seat to keep the crate on and if there was any possibility of arriving at the station on the day you intend to travel and being refused.



So essentially, you can purchase an extra seat but there's no point.

I was also told that the Station Master can refuse to allow you onto the train with your pet and does not have to give a reason.

Ireland is not a country which is accessible to people who want to bring their pets on public transport. It's madness.

What annoys me is you still don't have a straight answer from Irish Rail! Yeah they are allowed but you have a good chance of getting kicked off too! If that was me planning my travel to Waterford, I certainly wouldn't be relying on that email!

YurOK2

Ashbx wrote: »

What annoys me is you still don't have a straight answer from Irish Rail! Yeah they are allowed but you have a good chance of getting kicked off too! If that was me planning my travel to Waterford, I certainly wouldn't be relying on that email!

Well that's why I haven't bothered. Can you imagine planning a trip to Dublin and arriving at the station and being refused for an undisclosed reason? Or getting halfway and another passenger deciding they don't like your dog and you having to move seats or getting kicked off? Nightmare.