Licensee frames 'hilarious' TripAdvisor complaint about dog policy

Ye Olde Red Lion in Chieveley allows dogs, on the condition they are on leads and don’t bark, but one customer took exception to the conditions enforced by licensee Robin MacDonald.

“Despite the sign on the door saying 'dogs welcome' be aware that dogs are apparently only welcome if they have had their larynx removed,” the reviewer complained.

“After a couple of barks from our dog we got a 'look' from someone I can only assume is the owner and a question: "is your dog going to bark the whole time? We do have a sign...

“Either you do welcome dogs or you don't, I don't mind if you don't but don't pretend you do under ridiculous conditions. #analmisleadingsmallprint”

'Hilarious'

But the licensee saw the funny side of the complaint.

“It’s now one of our special reviews framed and on the wall of the gents loo. By the way, the dog didn’t stop barking for 10 minutes,” MacDonald told the PMA​.

He described the reviewer as ‘hilarious’, particularly as it was his first review on TripAdvisor, so it seemed the incident was upsetting enough to encourage the custopmer to set up an account.

The rule on dogs is featured on the pub's wacky list of rules (below) which includes not allowing men to wear hats at the bar, and a ban on crying, screaming kids.

Despite his problem with the rules on dogs, the pub managed to gain a three star review out of five from the complainant.

The full review​ reads:  

Great location for a pit stop in a road trip, just off the M4 and far better than the usual services. Despite the sign on the door saying 'dogs welcome' be aware that dogs are apparently only welcome of they have had their larynx removed. After a couple of barks from our dog we got a 'look' from someone I can only assume is the owner and a question: "is your dog going to bark the whole time? We do have a sign...". While we were taking out cutlery outside so as not to offend the owner we read the small print under the DOGS WELCOME sign, which said 'if on a lead and don't bark'. Either you do welcome dogs or you don't, I don't mind if you don't but don't pretend you do under ridiculous conditions. #analmisleadingsmallprint​