Stationmaster feels ‘hounded out’ after his dog is banned
A STATIONMASTER claims he has been forced to quit his job after his dog was banned from the ticket office by rail bosses.
Richard Bunce and his dog, George, had become a popular fixture at Horsley station in Surrey, with East Horsley parish council describing them as “our greatest asset”.
The 54-year-old has overseen the station for two years and helped secure it a nomination for “best small station” at the National Rail Awards this summer.
There was outrage in the village, therefore, when Mr Bunce announced he would have to leave his role because his canine companion had been banished from the office. George, a German wirehaired pointer, had come to the attention of bosses at South Western Railway (SWR), which manages the station, after its presence was mentioned in a “mystery shopper” review.
The rail operator said it had a policy across its network that forbade dogs being brought into the workplace.
Unable to afford alternative accommodation for George during his shifts, Mr Bunce decided he could no longer stay in his role.
Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, tweeted yesterday: “Sad to hear that [SWR is] planning to dispense with the services of George the station dog, along with his owner Richard Bunce.
Sounds like RUFF justice to me! A little less tick-boxing would brighten up everyone’s day.”
The parish council said: “Richard has been a great asset to the community, from maintaining the station, installing window boxes, starting the book and jigsaw exchange in the foyer, arranging free parking for the farmers market, giving up his time to help others and working with Friends of Horsley Station volunteers.
“George wasn’t doing any harm and he and Richard make a great team and that makes a lovely happy station.”
Mr Bunce started taking George into work several years ago because he worked alone and appreciated the company. Commuters soon took a shine to the dog, which spends most of its time sitting in the ticket office, and some began bringing it treats.
Mr Bunce claimed a secret shopper, visiting on behalf of the train company to assess customer service, had made a note in their report that a dog was at the station, but did not comment positively or negatively about it.
Last night, there was hope on the horizon as SWR indicated that it was considering whether to make an exception for Mr Bunce and George.
A spokesman for SWR said: “While we don’t allow dogs to be brought into workplaces... we recognise the strength of feeling in Horsley and are looking into the circumstances of this case.”