Pizza Hut under fire after customer places dog on baby chair at Market! Market!

Restaurant chain faces backlash as incident raises concerns over food safety and the health of other diners.

Pizza Hut is facing backlash for supposedly allowing a customer to place their pet on a high chair meant for children, potentially putting other patrons’ health and safety at risk.

The incident, which reportedly happened on September 7, involved a group bringing a small dog into the pizza chain’s Market! Market! branch and placing it in one of the restaurant’s high chairs. Images of the dog being fed while seated on the chair were later posted on Threads by a user who said they witnessed the incident.

“I DON’T CARE kung de aircon aso niyo sa bahay or katabi niyo sa kwarto or naliligo araw araw!! ASO IS ASO pa rin!!! Hindi ‘yan literal na ‘baby’ JUSKO NAMAAAAAN!!!! Huwag niyo sabihin hindi nakita ng staff nyo yan since the staff was happily talking to them sa table!!!” wrote the post author.

The matter could not be brought directly to the store’s attention at the time, as the person who witnessed it was accompanied by a toddler.

No laws specifically penalize the misuse of high chairs or the conduct of pets in restaurants, but both the restaurant and the pet owner may be held legally liable for potentially causing health issues for other customers.

Article 2183 of the Civil Code holds pet owners liable for any harm or damage their animals cause. The harm could also extend to health issues that others face as a result of the owner’s negligence.

Because children under three years old may be more vulnerable to allergies or illnesses, placing dogs in designated baby seats may cause issues for other families dining at the establishment.

The Sanitation Code prohibits the presence of live animals in spaces designated for food preparation and service—such as restaurant kitchens. Though the incident did not occur inside a food-service area, the closer proximity of servers to dogs because of the high chair may also jeopardize the health and safety of other customers.

Rules on pet-friendly spaces vary widely across cities and local governments. Taguig City does not have any ordinances guiding the presence of pets in public spaces.

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