Larry was a reading dog at Bonbeach Primary School for six years.  A school is a community space. Larry brought joy, conversation, helped to overcome fears and much more!   At no time did anyone complain of dirt or allergies.  We lost Larry during a Covid Lockdown, but I'm sure the children of Bonbeach Primary & Ken Jones, Principal, remember him fondly.

The City of Kingston is stopping our classes as they do not believe dogs belong in community spaces - spaces for our community to work, live & learn.  I have worked in the animal behaviour industry for nearly 30 years and to my knowledge the benefits of dogs far outweighs old chestnuts such as dogs are dirty & cause allergies.

We see dogs working as reading dogs in the Story Dog Program.  Dogs are used in court rooms to calm those before the court - victims of child abuse and domestic violence.  Our Victorian Police Force has a dog in the office and dogs out at high stress incidents.  We have dogs visiting children in hospitals through the Delta Society Program & others.  We have dogs visiting the elderly in facilities.  Dogs work in prisons and the list goes on.

So, how is it possible that 4-6 puppies are suddenly a problem at what is a grubby old hall in Carrum?  We clean before and after use in accordance with law, but that isnt good enough, apparently.

I put a question to Council Meeting Monday 21 October - Why are dogs not allowed inside the Carrum Community Guide Hall & how can Council change a policy during an election caretaker period?"

Answer from Kate Waters, GM Community Strengthening - "The use of the Community Hall for dog training has been identified as a use that is no longer appropriate.  This is based on considerations such as hygiene and cleanliness and risk of allergies.  The types of uses appropriate to the Community Hall are people based."

I will continue to pursue an appropriate answer from City of Kingston, given we have had not one complaint regarding hygiene, cleanliness or allergies in nearly 25 years.  The community is as upset as I am and we really deserve a more appropriate answer than the one provided.

What do you think? and thank you for your continued support! 

Jen x