A tiny Wyoming town has been embroiled in debate after an image surfaced of a dog sitting at a table inside a restaurant beside its owner. 

The image, captured inside Sapporo Japanese Steakhouse in Rock Springs, Wyoming, shows an elderly woman sitting at a table alongside her small dog. 

Local woman Ellie Croft shared the picture, and her disgust, at how restaurant staff could allow the animal inside. 

In her post, Croft said: ‘If you’ve already made the entitled decision to bring your dog to a restaurant. 

‘DO NOT let it sit on the bench where other people will sit. Disgusting and inconsiderate’, with her post now sparking a wider debate on animals in restaurants.

The image, and Croft’s caption, has since ignited a deeper heated debate about allowing animals in restaurants.

Some users urged her to be considerate, as she did not know the woman’s full circumstances, questioning if it was possibly a service dog. 

Others agreed with her post, saying people need to stop regarding dogs as humans. 

One commenter posted: ‘If your entitled backside is too pristine to sit in the same restaurant as a dog. You are the problem and not the dog.’

Another said: ‘Probably better behaved than most kids around here’, but someone added: ‘Agree!!! Dogs belong at home.’

Another man added: ‘Everyone should take a moment to actually think this through.’ 

‘This is a food establishment, not your home kitchen. Could this be a service dog? Yes, but it would be more responsible for this person to use a designated vest or tag to express that. 

‘People have allergies, and unless you have a certified service animal, you have no right bringing in a pet that could disrupt someone else in public food establishments.’

Croft hit back after receiving some heat for her original post, adding: ‘I’m highly allergic to dogs, and they do not belong on people’s seats in restaurants. 

‘It would’ve been alright if the dog stayed on the floor. Have some common sense.’

The owner of Sapporo, Jerry Zhang, told Cowboy State Daily that he leans toward the softer side of the issue for a few reasons. 

According to Zhang, he doesn’t want to force a lonely or disabled person away from her dog and he doesn’t want a dog left in a hot vehicle. 

Zhang also told the outlet that the restaurant is cleaned meticulously between guests anyway.

He said: ‘If the dog is good, no barking — I say OK. From my heart, I feel sorry if I reject (them). 

‘I always tell myself to put yourself in others’ shoes to feel how others feel That’s why I’m (allowing well-behaved dogs).’

According to the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, all animals, except service dogs, are not allowed inside restaurants

Federal rules say that staff can only ask a person if a dog is required because of a disability, and what task the dog must perform. 

The guidance adds that staff should not ask for documentation or proof that the can perform a service.