Home Depot has banned dogs and other pets from its Canadian stores after an associate was bitten on the job.

In the U.S., animals other than certified assistance dogs had not been permitted in Home Depot stores, spokesman Steve Holmes said, but Canada's policy was more lax. Aid dogs will still be permitted in Canadian Home Depot stores, but beginning May 16, other animals will not be.

In a statement, the company said while the majority of pet owners control their animals responsibly, it was instituting the ban "for the shopping enjoyment and safety of all customers."

The associate was bitten on the nose by a dog a customer had brought in. Holmes said he could not speculate about the associate's condition.