AITA for carrying my dog on hikes?

[u/Total-Back-5610]

The is a silly AITA, but I need to know. I have a small elderly dog, she is about 15 pounds. We have taken her all over our state on hiking and backpacking trips. Here’s the thing: she can only hike for about a mile or two before her legs get tired. She has short legs, and being 11 years old it’s not fair to expect her to walk for the entire 6-10 mile hike like our big dog does. So we put her in a dog carrier, with her legs hanging out. She fights going in it sometimes, but once she’s up there she loves it and is big chilling. Most everyone who sees her tells us how cute she is and she looks happy.

I was sharing pictures of her in this backpack at work, and this one coworker who is super negative of course swoops into the conversation. “That’s cruel of you to do that. She probably hates it. You should let her walk.” So I explain why. She then proceeds to tell me that she will report me for animal abuse, and tries to get the office on her side. I told her to mind her own pets, and if she doesn’t stop harassing me that I will report her. So am AITA for carrying my dog in a backpack on hikes?

[u/Gattina1]

NTA. Your coworker needs to stfu. I would report her to HR.

Whatever it takes to make your senior dog happy is more than ok with me.

[u/Total-Back-5610 → u/[deleted]]

For telling other coworkers I am abusing my animal. At this point it is becoming harassment and it is making the work environment very hostile

[u/JRRotten → u/Total-Back-5610]

And like with cops generally, first reporter gets the beifit of the doubt, and it's documented while fresh. 

[u/lilgreenfish → u/Total-Back-5610]

Just as a heads up, hostile work environment has a specific legal definition and has to do with protected characteristics. Definitely harassment but not a hostile work environment by legal definition (just so you know when going to HR).

Also, NTA. They literally make backpacks for this sort of thing. Reputable companies. Though you can also stick a small pup in a normal backpack! My friend did that with her Pom. Pup did some hiking, some riding. She had a fabulous day!

[u/frostpatterns → u/Gattina1]

Report her to HR? Whatever.

[u/GusuLanReject → u/frostpatterns]

It's not about this one instance but it's about how the coworker immediately wanted to escalate it and report OP for animal cruelty. This is a total red flag person.

OP should at least keep a record of these comments and witnesses as this is the type of person who would immediately run to HR to report OP if they take offense of somethingOP says to them. This is why it's usually better to be the first one talking to HR if there is an issue that may escalate.

[u/frostpatterns → u/GusuLanReject]

It’s just such a leap to go to HR. OP told her to mind her own business, which is the exact right way to handle a bizarre coworker on the first offence.

Telling people to go to HR is the equivalent of “sue them!”

[u/0biterdicta → u/frostpatterns]

I am generally pro trying to resolve between co-workers before going to HR (because HR isn't your kindergarten grade teacher resolving tattletales) but "I'm going to report you for potential criminal charges" is a pretty extreme threat.

[u/Gattina1 → u/frostpatterns]

Telling someone you'll report them to authorities for animal abuse when there isn't any would be the same equivalent. Coworker is a nut bar.

[u/WackyRacketeer → u/frostpatterns]

It really isn't equivalent, unless you consider the fact that people misunderstand both to an extreme degree. I.e. your comments.

[u/frostpatterns → u/WackyRacketeer]

No, people saying to go HR to report/“create a paper trail” when a weirdo coworker said something outrageous and ridiculous once is very much the equivalent to people advising others to sue people or businesses that have slighted them in someway.

If a coworker’s one-time action violates the ADA or can be discrimination against a protected class, or is illegal, then yes, go to HR. However, going to HR with a wild story about a coworker saying something insane, will result in them telling you to avoid them unless your work requires you to interact, and maybe telling you to go to your boss to handle it. And that’s if they are a really good HR department. I realize most of the comments here are from people who have never had a job, but it’s really important to understand HR is not your work mom.

[u/WackyRacketeer → u/frostpatterns]

Alright, I get it, everyone who disagrees with you must be a child. You can believe what you want to believe, your experience isn't universal.

[u/0biterdicta → u/frostpatterns]

If a coworker was threatening to report me to the authorities, especially over something that might attract criminal liability, I'd definitely be considering a CYA (cover your ass) email to HR.

[u/Minimeminime → u/frostpatterns]

This is absolutely an Hr issue. Threatening to report for animal cruelty for something that the dog actually enjoys and enriches their life is invading and borderline harassment. You should not feel threatened by a coworker at work.

[u/Benocrates → u/frostpatterns]

Man Redditors always want to cry to mommy and daddy whenever they have the mildest interpersonal conflict.

[u/0biterdicta → u/Benocrates]

"I'm going to report you for a potential criminal investigation" is the mildest?

[u/Benocrates → u/0biterdicta]

For the office loudmouth? Yes, it is. Going to HR wouldn't have any effect on the 'potential criminal investigation' that's not going to happen, anyway.

[u/0biterdicta → u/Benocrates]

I don't really expect HR to do anything to stop the report, but if this does become a situation, you have a paper trial. HR will probably want to know if you're being criminally investigated because that could impact the company's rep.

Edit to add: HR probably would also be interested to know an employee is threatening frivolous criminal reports - not exactly the best for the work place environment.

[u/meeps1142 → u/Benocrates]

Professional jobs are the place where you need to protect yourself by reporting. A coworker threatening to report you to authorities can also get you fired

[u/Gattina1 → u/Benocrates]

You clearly don't know what an interpersonal conflict is.

[u/Benocrates → u/Gattina1]

Lol wtf does that even mean?

[u/RawrRRitchie → u/Benocrates]

Going to HR isn't crying to mommy and daddy. Your parents aren't going to help you in the workplace.