THAT’S BARKING!
Station dog who’s adored by passengers is banned from ticket office – and Shapps says it’s ruff justice
IF anything is likely to cheer up a frazzled commuter, it’s a friendly face or two in the ticket office.
Certainly village station master Richard Bunce and his German wirehaired pointer George have been a muchloved team at Horsley in Surrey.
But after a mystery shopper gave the station a glowing review – mentioning in passing that George was in the office – train chiefs have put a bar on his visits.
thousands have now signed a petition demanding SWR let the pet back in – and even transport Secretary Grant Shapps has hit out at the ‘ruff justice’.
Mr Bunce, who started taking George in around three years ago because he worked alone, said the ban meant he could no longer do his job because he cannot make or afford alternative arrangements for his pet.
Even if he did have the money for daycare, the 5.30am time he starts his shifts mean none would be open.
After hearing of his plight, Mr Shapps wrote on twitter that he was ‘sad’ to hear that SWR was ‘planning to dispense with the services of George the station dog’ and Mr Bunce.
‘Sounds like RUFF justice to me! A little less tick-boxing [sic] would brighten up everyone’s day,’ he added.
Mr Bunce said: ‘For some people, dogs are family – that’s what George is to me. I took it upon myself to bring him into work. I was never told I couldn’t, but I didn’t ask either.
‘It never caused any problems. Everyone has been very positive about it. He stays in the ticket office so he’s not a bother. But as of Monday, going forward, dogs aren’t allowed in the ticket office.’
Supporters of Mr Bunce say George is ‘well-behaved and friendly’ and both are essential to the community. During lockdown when the local library was closed Mr Bunce offered a pop-up book borrowing service to help the elderly stay connected and entertained.
Horsley was even nominated for Best Small Station of the Year recently
More than 2,000 people have signed a petition – backed by East Horsley Parish Council – urging bosses to see sense and let George back to the station.
It reads: ‘Rules is rules it seems but George wasn’t doing any harm and he and Richard make a great team and that makes a lovely happy station. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Mr Bunce said George ‘doesn’t do much at work’ as he has his bed there and ‘just waits for his audience to turn up’. Some people bring him bags of treats. He hoped SWR would reconsider and make an allowance.
Last night an SWR spokesman said: ‘While we don’t allow dogs to be brought into workplaces across our network, we of course recognise the strength of feeling in the local community and from our customers at the station.
‘Our teams have been working with Richard this week to find a way for him and George to continue their good work at Horsley, while maintaining the safety of our customers and colleagues.’
‘Well behaved and friendly’