Downstate schools appeal in service dog case

COLUMBIA -- A southwestern Illinois school district is appealing a judge's order that a 5-year-old autistic boy be allowed to bring his service dog to school.

Columbia's school system wants a Mount Vernon-based Illinois appeals court to throw out the preliminary injunction a Monroe County judge issued last week in favor of young Carter Kalbfleisch.

The judge's order is to take effect Sept. 14, meaning Carter could attend classes before then but without the dog. That isn't likely because Carter's family says the boy and the dog are inseparable.

In seeking to have the injunction thrown out or at least put on hold, the district argues that the judge misinterpreted Illinois law and that the dog doesn't serve any educational purpose.