Dogs on "T" Help

[mogwaikisses.livejournal.com]

I would like to take my dog on MBTA tomorrow through Davis, as I am spending the holiday at a friend's house. I could drive, but there are parking issues, I don't even want to get into that.

Anyhow, I have looked at the MBTA site, and it says dogs are allowed on the "T" during non-peak hours.

What exactly is the "T" technically? Is that just the train?

I have to take a bus to get to Davis Square...does that mean she can come on the bus as well? Is the bus part of the "T"?

Why can't they be more specific? I tried googling it also, no luck. Does anyone know?

Also, it says your dog can't "bother" other people. She barks sometimes when she freaks out. Does this mean she will be banned if she barks?

Comments

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

What size dog is this? Lap dogs are always fine on the bus and the train. Bigger dogs are generally fine as well. You shouldn't have a problem.

The bus is part of the "T".

[mogwaikisses.livejournal.com]

She is 23 lbs, but she is not really a lap dog. She's a bulky Corgi, so she can't really be in a carrier, she would be on a leash, walking. She doesn't bite or jump or anything, she's just a bit unpredictable with the barking aspect.

Thanks for clarification on the T thing. It confuses me!

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

I think it would be fine. You can probably keep her calm during the bus/ train ride, so you will most likely not have any issues.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Idk, I took my Abyssinian on the T whenever and it was never a problem.

I've only seen one issue with a dog, ever. It was a "pit bull" type dog, sweet as could be...but over the loudspeaker came a T-employee's voice telling the owner that if anything happened they'd be thrown off the train...

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Well, Boston also has anti-pit bull legislation so if the train was going to pass through Boston (not just Somerville/Cambridge) then the owner would need to be in compliance. I don't agree with breed-specific legislation (esp against a breed that isn't a singular breed at all) but Boston does have it.

[tfarrell.livejournal.com]

The "T" is the whole transit system, so yes, the buses are included.

The rule is written to enable them to arbitrarily allow or disallow your pet. If the driver doesn't like dogs, they can simply claim it's a "peak" time and refuse to take you. (In fact, they can just flat refuse, and then later claim it was a "peak" time if you file a complaint.) If anyone on the vehicle doesn't like dogs and complains, the driver can simply claim it's "bothering" people and kick you off.

Of course, you should have your dog under control, and your dog should not be on the T if you think your dog is going to "freak out". I don't think people are too likely to get upset if your dog barks once, but if the dog starts barking nonstop... I love dogs, and that would worry me, so don't be surprised if somebody complains if your dog barks a lot.

The best advice I can give you is to get your dog to lay down as soon as you can once you're on the vehicle. The dogs I've seen on the T over the years (and there have been many) generally seem okay if they're laying down, but some seem uncomfortable if they're sitting up, because the motion of the vehicle unbalances them a bit more when they're upright.

And if you need to get there without the T, the taxi company in Somerville can be reached at 617-625-5000, make sure to tell them you have a dog and ask for a driver who doesn't mind. (You might want to call them in advance to check that it'll be okay, just in case.) They often take a while to answer the phone, so if you call, you might want to let it ring a bit.

[docorion.livejournal.com]

Actually, 'peak time' has a definition: 7am-10am, and 4pm-7pm. It's the same as the hours for bicycles (I take my bike on the T regularly).

'Your pet bothering people', on the other hand, does not. And can likely cause drivers to arbitrarily refuse to allow you on. But they're clear about that already-from the MBTA website:"During off-peak hours, non-service dogs are allowed at the discretion of T vehicle operators." So they can decline to let you on basically if they want to. I haven't seen it happen often (hell, I haven't seen it happen ever, but it's clearly a possibility). Good luck.

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

If I recall correctly, peak time is only on weekdays, not weekends or holidays (and today the T is on the holiday schedule).

[docorion.livejournal.com]

Good point, and I did neglect to mention that. Thanks!

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

i have two dogs [pugs] and have taken them on the T, bus, and commuter rail without any issue.

it's obviously best if you can get one of the single seats, it gives you more room and your dog a little space away from strangers. or, sit on the back stairs in the rear of the car.

do you live in the city and has your dog been on a train before? if the answer is no, it can be a little scary or unsettling for the dog. if your dog can be picked up, i'd advise at least carrying him/her onto the train initially. and most passengers either don't care or are entertained by dogs on the T.

[cmouse.livejournal.com]

I take a corgi on the T on a very regular basis (several times a week for a year). He's fairly good at it and no one has ever complained to me.

[othniel77.livejournal.com]

Just tell them it's a "service animal" if anyone gives you any flack.

[alphacygni]

I realize your heart is probably in the right place when suggesting that, but I'm afraid that encouraging the "just tell them it's a service animal" gambit is only going to make things worse for the people who have service animals, and are sick to death of various grumpy service employees thinking (or saying!) "oh, you just said that to screw with me".

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

This is the worst advice ever. Don't do that.

[squonk.livejournal.com]

On behalf of those of us with actual service animals, I offer you my thanks for advising the public on how best to contribute to the access problems we already experience on a regular basis.

And on the same note (except without the sarcasm), to the OP and anyone: Please don't bring any animal on the T unless you are sure that you can keep it in your complete control at all times. An ill-behaved animal is literally a safety threat to a person with a service dog, particularly a blind person with a guide dog. Thanks muchly.

[ron_newman]

Echoing the above three replies: bad, bad idea.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Everything operated by the MBTA is considered part of the T.

Barking (unless it's loud and non-stop) would not be considered disturbing to other passengers. The kind of thing I've seen people asked to leave with their dogs for is growling, jumping up on other passengers, and grabbing other passengers' belongings with their teeth (the dogs, here, not the humans).

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

I have brought my keeshond (see userpic) on the bus/train on a weekend day, and had no issues. However, the bus got a little crowded and someone with a wheelchair had to come on, necessitating me to pick up my pooch and sit him on my lap (he's about 40+ pounds, but likes my lap). Luckily, we had a seat facing the aisle, so that worked out well for him and I. But he's very calm and good at ignoring people/other critters if I tell him to.