Minnesota woman accuses shopper of carrying dog covered in feces inside Target, demands to know if it’s a service animal: ‘Super sanitary’

A TikTok video filmed inside a Target store in Plymouth, Minnesota, has sparked debate over emotional support animals, food safety, and what businesses may legally ask customers who bring dogs into stores. TikToker Sydney (@sydneyley7) shared a post allegedly showing a shopper carrying a dog.

According to Sydney, the dog, which she described as covered in feces, passed through the store’s produce section. In the video’s caption, she said she reported the situation to a store manager, whom she calls Jesse, but claimed the animal remained inside the store.

“Hey @target in Plymouth, MN – why are you allowing a dog covered in poop inside of your produce section?” Sydney wrote in the caption. She also alleged the dog was an emotional support animal and argued that allowing it inside violated the store’s posted policy and food safety rules.

Service animal versus emotional support.

As evidence, the video includes a brief exchange between Sydney and the dog’s owner. “Is she a certified service animal?” Sydney asks. “Yes, she is,” the woman replies. Sydney’s video also shows a sign at the store entrance. The sign states that pets are not allowed and that only service animals may enter.

Sydney follows up by asking what the dog, who is not wearing a service vest, is certified to do. The woman responds, “My son died a tragic death, and she helps me heal.” Sydney then asks, “So she’s an emotional support animal?” “Exactly. She’s not a service animal. Correct,” the woman says.

Sydney concludes the exchange by saying, “In the middle of a grocery store. Super sanitary.” The video generated discussion in the comments about what store employees may legally ask when a customer enters with a dog.

One commenter wrote, “I completely agree with you that the dog should not be in the store and I think it’s great that you took things into your own hands but most of the time stores will not allow workers to ask what a service animal is for so they can’t do much about it.”

Sydney responded that businesses may ask limited questions under federal law. “You are legally allowed to ask what task the animal is trained to perform. This woman clearly stated it is an ’emotional support animal’ which is NOT a certified service animal trained to perform a task.”

Federal and state law suggest Target could have intervened

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), generally allows businesses to ask two questions when it is not obvious that a dog is a service animal. Businesses may ask whether the dog is required because of a disability and what work or task it has been trained to perform. Businesses may not request documentation or ask about a person’s disability.

The ADA states that emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under federal law. It defines emotional support animals as animals whose sole role is to provide comfort. The ADA also allows businesses to require the removal of a service animal if it is out of control or not housebroken.

Minnesota guidance mirrors federal law. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights states that businesses must admit service animals in public places. Businesses are not explicitly required to allow emotional support animals. It also notes that service animals in food establishments must remain under control and cannot create a health or safety hazard.

Target has not so far publicly commented on the situation. Events described in the post have not been independently verified.