Portland school district weighs new rules for classroom dogs after faith-based objections

One specific concern has driven a policy review at Portland Public Schools: the belief among some Muslim leaders that dog saliva is impure.

The issue surfaced during an Oct. 14 policy committee meeting. Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed, the district’s assistant superintendent for student, family and community partnerships, raised the matter while the board considered changes to its classroom pet rules.

The debate started when a teacher at Ocean Avenue Elementary School asked to foster puppies in her classroom. She wanted students to interact with the animals during reading and playtime. Ahmed explained that he had spoken with local Muslim religious leaders about the request.

Ahmed, who was born in Somalia, said those leaders opposed keeping dogs as classroom pets. He noted that Islamic tradition generally favors compassion for animals, but some practices treat dogs as unclean. “The dog saliva is considered impure,” he told the committee. He added that some community members had negative past experiences with dogs.

To address the concern, Ahmed proposed keeping dogs in a separate room. This accommodation would allow students and families with religious objections to avoid direct contact with the animals. The committee also discussed whether any new rules should apply only to dogs or include other classroom animals.

Members considered opt-in and opt-out options for families. However, the committee did not vote on any policy changes during the Oct. 14 session. The district has not yet announced a final decision.

Tina Descovich, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, offered a different view. In a statement to Fox News Digital, she called objections to classroom dogs “silly.” She argued that dogs have enriched the lives of school children across America since the nation’s founding. The district did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Ahmed or Superintendent Ryan Scallon.