Is It Cool to Take Pictures of Someone's Dog Without Asking?

I have a question. Is it socially acceptable to bring your dog shopping with you to a clothing store? I ran into some seemingly self entitled woman waiting in line for the dressing room with her Chocolate Lab.

If the store doesn't sell food, it's at the discretion of the management whether to allow dogs or not.

A woman asked to take a picture of my dog, and I said yes. It was a very easy transaction. She was a graphic designer or something and my dog is particularly adorable, so why not? However, I'm not a raving lunatic, so that situation may have turned out very different if I were.

If he doesn't want people taking pictures of his dog, he should just get one of the invisible ones from the improv everywhere crew.

Love hunter.blatherer. You make perfect sense. The nut-case's little dog will probably eventually pay dearly for his owner's stupidity and boorish behavior if he continues to walk the pooch off-leash and act out irrationally. That is the actual issue, not whether Melissa disobeyed some obscure rule of civility - which, in my opinion, she did not, certainly not intentionally. But even if she did, his behavior toward her was so egregious that her "offense" pales into insignificance.

This guy is actually a somewhat known disturbed person, I could tell it was him right away because he always has that hat on, and the bluetooth headset. That dog of his always has on different pairs of booties every time I've seen him in the park. I saw him in Central Park one weekend and a parks department lady asked him to put a leash on his dog and he exploded into such a frenzy I thought he was going to hit her.

Kazubes,

If you happen to see this guy again, feel free to make him bite the curb and step on the back of his head American X style. Tell him that its from the guy who works the rice paddys.

If I happen to see him again, which I really wish i do, I will cut his leg off.

Melissa, if you happen to see him again, just take the dog's bootie and throw it in the sewer.

I'm the Russian that Shin just mentioned, and can totally corroborate his story. This was the most ridiculous/bizarre thing that has happened to me in 20 years of living in New York! I promise that none of us had any cameras, and the result was the same - well, actually, a little worse for him. We ended up laughing at him and getting him even more riled up. I think his parting words had something to do with us needing to come to Texas so he could show us "how its done".

So, either this guy is the most miserable person we've ever met or( and I haven't ruled this out yet ) we were on candid camera.

Holy SHIT!

I ran into the same douchebag who claimed to be dressing this rat with a million dollar necklace and that that's something a billionaire "can do". Then he proceeded to tell me that though he assumes I'm a doctor, i wouldn't know that a dog's paw shouldn't be touching the city streets and that wouldn't be something I would learn while working on a rice patty!(I'm asian).

Our group of friends, mix of white, russian, myself and a half mexican, couldn't stop laughing at this guy's tirade.

This guy went off, not because he was pissed at you, but he was just clearly out of his mind.

The plot thickens...

No one has pointed out the obvious. That's a piss poor photograph.

You should always ask permission and most people will give it. I have two beautiful spaniels and they look cute and cuddly. They are as sweet as can be with "the family" but they do not want to be approached by strangers and would react badly. So my reaction, if somebody gets too close, is to warn them. I'm thinking of their welfare.

She should know better than to photogrpah someones dog.

Are you all insane? The comments are CRAZY! You're all suddenly privacy experts? Well, legal bigshots, I'm glad your Judge Judy law degree overrides civility -- "all's fair, 'cause it's legal, baby!" So if I walk up to you and your date and flash your picture a foot from your face, that's OK because you are in public and relinquished your privacy? So you don't have to ask yourself, "how would I feel if someone did this to me…" anymore? Ohhh, poor, tiny, little wispy thing of a girl gets (supposedly) yelled at by the big, awful man and since she posts her "victim" story you're spouting homophobic comments about this guy? How about if she had said to him, "Hey, you're right, I'm sorry. I should have asked. I was so impressed by your dog that I forgot. Please accept my apology." Wow. Wouldn't everyone have gone home happy then? No, you all have to go public. Tell the world how unfair life is to you. Grow up, lady. Did this approach work with daddy and now you want the world to mollycoddle you too? Lady, you know you were rude, so no matter how many people cut this guy down, you know in your heart: You Were Rude and you didn't have the b*lls to apologize.

Yes, everyone else is crazy and your above comment is the only sane, reasonable one here. No one else understands privacy but you.

PS: If you look as crazy as you write, don't go out in public. Because I will photograph you.

Sounds like somebody needs a vacation.

But what did Viane Delgado say?

Crazy Man + Crazy Woman + Internet = yawn

I usually always ask people if I can photograph them if I am near, however, constitutionally, with the exception of shooting through and open window, the rights of who to shoot, how close etc, are on the photographers side.

I don't think he liked her taking pictures of his boyfriend.

tru fax

Just don't take pictures of people walking their cats. You'd be in for a heap of trouble.

Dogs are fair game, a polite reciprocated nod is polite. if close enough to ask without shouting, just say may I?

Stupid pompous queen. She should've stomped on his and the pathetic dog's head, right then and there.

What did the dog do wrong? You're crazier than that "Joan" "lady".

Lucky the dog owner didn't stab Melissa. He does have a camouflage backpack.

While the dog owner sounds like a jerk, Melissa obviously IS a crazy bitch. What normal, sane person insists on taking someone's picture when they've been specifically asked not to do so, then posts it online? Way to keep it classy, Melissa.

So, let me get this right, moonbeam. Melissa is a photographer who does freelance work for magazines. And you're calling her a "CRAZY bitch" when she photographs someone's dog on public property? Sorry, but you obviously don't know the law when it comes to photography. If you go out in public, you're fair game. And your picture can be posted in magazines, newspapers, textbooks, etc in what is called "editorial" use (...but not commercial use without a model release). And, if she photographs a dog, she doesn't even need a model release, because animals don't have the same restrictions as humans. What she did was LAWFUL, even if it was not liked by the dogowner. Could she have been polite and asked for permission? Yes. Did she need to, no. She's a photographer...and she's doing her job.

"Sorry, but you obviously don't know the law when it comes to photography." And you, farleft, slept through the part about "do unto others…" Stop impressing us with how much you know about what's legal and ask yourself what's fair. Not just fair for you.

Joan, seriously? You think not taking the photo is "fair"? I might agree with an imposition. But it's not unfair that she snapped a photo of a dog on the street. That's just stretching.

Why do you assume that everyone has a problem with being photographed without permission? It's simply not the case.

What's fair, in your opinion? Do you think street photography in public places should be outlawed because is "unfair" to photograph people without their knowledge? There are time-tested laws in place for certain reasons. And the argument that something is "unfair" simply because you are uncomfortable with it doesn't mean that we should outlaw it.

If you mean, 'courteous', then yes...it's courteous to ask people for permission before you photograph them in public. But, again, it's not unlawful to not be 'courteous."

Maybe you have a reading comprehension problem. Melissa was not asked to refrain from taking a photo. She wanted to take a photo, and the dog owner went ballistic on her at the sight of the camera.

Yet she went ahead and took his picture and posted it online. Like I said, classy.

Ask if you like, or don't. If you can see the dog in public, you can take a picture of her/him legally. If the owner berates you like this nut did, take a picture of them too and post it all over the internet.

Yes. Of course. Unless someone follows YOU around taking pictures, amg2000. Then your rules change, I'm sure.

I'm a dogwalker who gets photographed regularly. I fail to see why I should be upset about that. You're probably one of these people who also have no idea how to react when a stranger talks to you in public.

Anyone that is on a public street, can be photographed, because you don't have the legal expectation of privacy. Photojournalists and the paps do it all the time. It may be polite to ask, but it isn't a legal requirement.

I'm not legally required to say, "excuse me" when I walk into you. I'm not legally required to prevent the door slamming in your face when you're behind me. I'm not legally required to refrain from talking really loud next to you on the subway. However, when these legal things happen to you, I'm sure you're the first to get upset. Funny how 'legal' applies to what you expect from you and 'civil' applies to what you expect from me.

He's obviously embarrassed, guys. Caught with a dog in last season's jacket.

'dog people' are fucking douchebags to begin with - dogs don't belong in cities.

You don't belong in cities.

things that gothamist readers hate: bikers, dogs that live in cities...

That might quite possibly be the dumbest posting I've ever read on the internet. Congratulations.

I was there and saw that man and his dog. He was asking for attention. Yes, the dog was wearing a jacket and booties and running down 59th street without a leash. Eventually he caught up to the dog around Columbus Circle and picked it up, he was talking to some tourists and letting them pet it. I guess screaming at a woman taking a photo was just another reason to cause a scene and get attention.

As long as she didn't flash the dog's eyes then what was the harm. The dog's guardian overreacted. I have seen people take pictures of children in playgrounds and do wonder if it for the pedophiles on the Internet. What upsets me is all those people who take pictures with flashes of the police horses. I seen a group of people taking pictures of the poor horse at times square and the horse looked so distressed with all the flashes. I ask the officer to consider this but he seem unconcerned

Was the guy Lindsay Lohan in disguise?

No, the dog was. ZOOM!

Expectation of privacy when walking in the street: Very little to none. If someone wants to take your picture, a picture of your dog or child or car, as long as it's out in the open, it's your tough luck if you don't like it. They can't use it for commercial purposes without your permission but you can't stop them from taking the shot.

What could a reasonable objection possibly be? I can't think of one.

How about: "I don't want you to?" Just because YOU can't think of a reasonable objection doesn’t grant you authority to make that decision for others. Or is it OK for me to follow YOU around in public taking pictures because I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't want me to? Everyone's a legal expert until it's happening to them…

Some dog owners are just effed up in the head. I had a lady go nuts on me when I bent over to untangle my dog from his leash and, because she's a complete loon, she decides to approach me with her 90 pound pit bull and yell at me, "SHE'S NOT GOING TO ATTACK YOU! OKAY YOU'RE JUST PLAIN FUCKING IGNORANT!"

I didn't even have time to react. People seated right next to us at a cafe were looking over like "what the hell?" I have no idea why this lady flipped out at me. I didn't even see her coming.

okay...sorry for the double post everyone. Moveable type, you suck.

Some dog owners are just plain effed up in the head. I had a lady go nuts on me when I bent over to untangle my dog from his leash and, because she's a complete loon, she decides to approach me with her 90 pound pit bull and yell at me, "SHE'S NOT GOING TO ATTACK YOU! OKAY YOU'RE JUST PLAIN FUCKING IGNORANT!"

I didn't even have time to react. People seated right next to us at a cafe were looking over like "what the hell?" I have no idea why this lady flipped out at me. I didn't even see her coming.

Anybody out in public is fair game for photography. Still, it's probably polite to ask before taking the photo but legally you're good either way.

Aren't you just asking for it by dressing your dog in little clothes? Of course, it seems clear that the guy in question is completely batshit.

Just another city lunatic. And yes, Mr. Crazypants your image, your dog and your crazy-ass behaviour has been posted on the world wide web for all to see. Cheers!

So, Clarice City, I can post your pictures anywhere I want and you'll be just as enthusiastic? Send one to me, I'll put it on a water sports site.

Some people are born stupid and some have to learn to be stupid. This dog owner is a natural. I feel sorry for the dog.

I've photographed other people's dogs. Most people are flattered, but I did have one person object. No problem. I don't take the photo then. I also recall one dog who objected. She didn't like to be photographed and would go off and hide at the sight of a camera.

Some people are born stupid and some have to learn to be stupid. This dog owner is a natural. I feel sorry for the dog.

I've photographed other people's dogs. Most people are flattered, but I did have one person object. No problem. I don't take the photo then. I also recall one dog who objected. She didn't like to be photographed and would go off and hide at the sight of a camera.

looks like the dog is wearing pants and shoes. owner had to keep it away from the paparazzi.

I would be embarrassed to be photographed with a dog dressed up like that. Maybe it was his mother's and he was afraid the photo would be seen by his friends.

Anyone who leaves a dog (or a baby) leashed outside while they eat or shop is asking for trouble. I think it should be a summonable offense. They are subjecting their charges to the worst imaginable scenarios.

I agree with you entirely. This dog owner was fortunate that someone only wanted to photograph his dog. He should be happy about that and ask for prints. Some people...

Depends on how near you are. If your near enough for them to notice, ask nicely.

But the woman in that story is batshit crazy. I hope the dog pees on her head while she sleeps.

It's hard to tell from the picture -- but I understand from the story that this was a dude going off on a woman photographer.

Which, frankly, makes it worse in my mind. Ok, maybe that's sexist -- but if you're a guy, and you go apeshit on a woman because she took a picture of your precious little doggie-woggie...seriously, return your manhood at the nearest man store and get your money back, because you ain't usin' it.

Well said.

And no, that ain't sexist.

No no, this guy was totally gay. Not like, in a negative way but really a gay guy.

Ran into the same guy with bunch of my friends and had a racial spat with him. He ended up telling me that I wouldn't know about taking care of a dog cause i won't learn that kind of stuff on a rice paddy. (I'm asian)

This guy was total nut and all of my friends, including myself, were cracking up at this guy.