With the growing popularity of small pets, pet owners are taking their pooches everywhere in handbags, strollers and carriers, to do everyday errands, such as grocery shopping, eating at restaurants and other locations. 

The trend finds its influence from Europe, particularly France, where such behavior is common and accepted. Celebrities like Paris Hilton have contributed to the fad, using fashionable purses to carry their tiny dogs everywhere.

In the United States, however, sanitation is a priority, and such practices can pose a threat to public health. Health officials say animals carry bacteria and parasites; therefore, it is unsanitary for pets to be in locations that sell or serve food.

Transportation of such animals is selfish and not hygienic. The law needs to be enforced by store personnel.

Service animals are protected by law and allowed in stores. It is sometimes difficult for shop managers to distinguish such guides from family pets since owners are not required to prove that such animals are service animals.

Still, the practice of carrying animals everywhere is distasteful and discourteous. Pets belong in the home, not in purses.