Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, has called for ‘killjoy’ railway bosses and their resignation. A popular station master claims that George is being forced out by the ban.
Richard Bunce (44) and George ((4) were very popular in Horsley station, East Horsley, Surrey.
Today’s Tweet by Mr Shapps was: “Sad” to learn that @SW_Help plans to discontinue George, the station dog, and Richard Bunce his station master. To me, it sounds just like RUFF! It would make everyone’s day brighter if they did a bit less tick-boxing.
@SW_Help replied to his tweet, saying: ‘We’ve been working with Richard to figure out a way to allow George and Richard to keep their great work at Horsley. While keeping the safety of colleagues and customers, we hope that this can be resolved soon.
Another social media user tweeted his reactions, one writing ‘Ah. Another user wrote ‘What shame!’ while another said ‘What misery.
George and Mr Bunce had been local celebrity in East Horsley with a population over 2,000.
Three months ago, the station master won the Best Small Station Award.
Grant Shapps (transport secretary) tweeted his support to Richard Bunce (54) and George (4), who are a beloved pair at Horsley station, East Horsley.
Mr Bunce and George (pictured) had become local celebrities in the village of East Horsley, which has a population of 2,000 people
South Western Railway placed a ban on George as a result of a reviewer giving the station glowing reviews and mentioning that George was visited by a dog.
The new circumstances mean that Mr Bunce cannot continue to do his job as a train guard because he is no longer able to make and afford other arrangements for George the German wirehaired pointer.
Even if he did have the money for daycare for the dog, the early 5.30am time he starts his shifts mean none would be open.
Today Transport secretary Grant Shapps tweeted (pictured): ‘Sad to hear that @SW_Help planning to dispense with the services of George the station dog, along with his owner station master Richard Bunce. To me, it sounds just like RUFF! It would make everyone’s day brighter if they did a bit less tick-boxing.
Now over 3,800 people have signed a petition – backed by East Horsley Parish Council – urging bosses to see sense and let the pet back to the station.
George was taken in by Mr Bunce around three years back, as he had been working alone at the hospital during his popularity tenure.
The station master told MailOnline: ‘For some people, dogs are family – that’s what George is to me.
“I brought him to work by myself. I never was told I couldn’t but I didn’t ask.
“It has never been a problem. Everybody has been positive about it. He doesn’t bother anyone and he stays at the ticket office.
“But from Monday onwards, dogs won’t be permitted in the ticket offices.
“We had a secret shopkeeper that visited the station. One part of the report was that there was a pet dog at the ticket counter. It was not a negative or positive note. The fact that the note was present was all they needed to know. The station was a success.
“I must leave this position as there’s no cost-effective method of getting it done.
He said, “I don’t want to spend all day with him in his house. I would have to pick him up at 5.30am at the doggy daycare. It doesn’t seem like there is anywhere in the area that’s open so early.
‘If I was to be working at a station that had ten other people in the office I wouldn’t even try to bring him in as it’s not suitable. My work is my only. The problem is not mine.
George (pictured) is a well-known local star at Horsley’s railway station. Locals have been saddened to hear of George’s impending departure.
George, as shown in the photograph by Mr Bunce, was described by Bunce (pictured) as like a member of his family and he took George to work because he was alone there.
Three months ago, Mr Bunce (pictured) won the Best Small Station Award.
Locals have been devastated by Mr Bunce’s decision to quit his job due to his dog. Pictured Lucy, John, Sue and Sylvia Bunce.
Horsley Railway Station in Surrey is located near Leatherhead and West Horsley, as well as Ockham & Great Bookham.
More than 2,000 dog-lovers and residents signed petitions asking for George’s release from Mr Bunce.
They claim they are vital to their community, and have given hours of free labor to assist those living in it.
When the local library was locked down, Bunce provided a service of pop-up book borrowing to assist the elderly.
More than 2,000 people now have signed a petition asking for bosses’ wisdom to release the pet from the Surrey station. (pictured)
Bunce said that he hopes SWR will reconsider his decision and give him an allowance. This is especially important considering Bunce was the only worker at the station.
Pictured: The online petition to Save Richard Bunce and George (pictured) has at least 2000 signatures.
It reads, “Richard was responsible for numerous local initiatives as well as the tidy, friendly and loving upkeep Horsley Station which has been a labor of love for him and his friendly and well-behaved dog George.
“Rules are rules, it seems. But George was not doing any harm. Richard and George make an excellent team which makes for a happy and peaceful station. You don’t have to do it, if it isn’t broken.
MailOnline was contacted by a customer who said that Richard is a wonderful man, and had completely changed the station’s image.
“He’s a hero in the community and everybody loves George. We are seeing the end of individual stations – that’s how sad it is.
“His bosses need to be offering Richard a raise or promotion for his efforts in this community – and not making it difficult for him work there.
After SWR’s ruling that no dog was allowed, Bunce went on a short vacation. A regular contacted Bunce to find out where he was.
He said: ‘Someone asked why I wasn’t there as I always am, I explained I will ill but I also said to them I’d have to leave as dogs aren’t allowed in the station now.
“I’ve done pretty much nothing since then. The ball is now rolling downhill. The problem is not apparent to me from the comments and petitions I have seen online.
Horsley: I swear to the world that he and his partner have at least 1 dog. They’re big fans of George.
“He is very relaxed and doesn’t work too hard at work. Before work, I go with him on a short walk. He is comfortable in his own bed. He waits to see his audience.
“He is in the ticket counter with me, so we don’t have to make contact immediately. They can only see him if they are able to see. Many bring him bags full of treats. He’s happy and well behaved.
I believe that SWR was fair. It’s okay if there’s a rule or reason that I cannot bring him to the office. This is not a position I am trying to take. It is simply a matter of whether I cannot bring him to work.
“I wrote to my immediate manager today. I think he is aware of the support and comments – about my intent to return if they’re comfortable for me to return with the dog temporarily.
‘I’ll do my notice. If it’s allowed, I will continue with my dog. It’s not something I would do, but it wouldn’t be fair.
Bunce stated that SWR should reconsider the matter and provide an allowance to him, given his position as the sole employee at the station.
Local residents supported Bunce and his dog.
NextDoor user, Richard wrote: “This is awful!” Richard, you are the most skilled station master in Britain and an asset to British Rail.
One other said, “I am new here but I have always thought it was wonderful to watch your dog work alongside you.” I don’t understand the problem – it’s crazy.
“Total stupidity on company’s part…happy station masters, dogs and canines bring a smile on most commuters’ faces. This is a bad judgment call from your ex-company.
A spokesperson for South Western Railway said: ‘While we don’t allow dogs to be brought into workplaces across our network, we recognise the strength of feeling in Horsley and are looking into the individual circumstances of this case.’