Voices is the Dorset Echo's weekly youth page - written for young people by young people.

This week Megan and Erin argue dogs should stay out of public places.

We believe dogs should not be allowed in any pubs, shops and grocery stores apart from guide dogs.

Guide dogs are extremely intelligent and should be the only exception as they are highly qualified to help people who are in need.

If dogs, other than guide dogs, are allowed in shops then people with sever allergies could have a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Over people, for many reasons are afraid of dogs and by taking your animal into a shop you are preventing them from being able to use the facility.

Even well-behaved dogs can cause problems in shops. Not only could your dog lick food products at a store, they could rip open products and damage packaging. This would then cost the shop owners more money that has been wasted on your dog.

Lots of shops sell products which are potentially harmful to your pet. Lots of shops sell chocolate which if eaten is poisonous to dogs. Even things you may not think of, like some house plants are poisonous to dogs.

Large dogs could cause problems in shops as they may not know their own strength and knock someone over.

Being dog owners ourselves we understand that it is hard to leave your dog alone at home when you go out but as long as your dog is friendly and trained,you can leave it outside of the store while you go inside and do your shopping.

By Megan Butler and Erin Steadman, St George's Primary School