Judge: Illinois school must allow autistic boy's dog

COLUMBIA -- A Monroe County judge says a southwestern Illinois school district must allow a 5-year-old autistic boy to bring his service dog to class.

Judge Dennis Doyle ruled Thursday that state law clearly allows service dogs.

Melissa and Chris Kalbfleisch (KAHLB'-flysh) filed a lawsuit after Columbia Community School Unit 4 said their son, Carter, couldn't bring his 11-month-old certified service dog to his pre-kindergarten special education classes.

Certified service dogs are also protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and are allowed access to any public environment.

But Doyle says the dog, Corbin, can't go to school until other issues are resolved, including accommodating students who are allergic to dogs.