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Attacks on guide dogs must stop
This week, we published shocking research revealing that the number of attacks on guide dogs by other dogs has more than doubled in the space of 14 months.
Our findings provoked an incredible amount of coverage, and there have since been some developments which I wanted to share with you. As a direct result of our research, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) renewed its call for compulsory microchipping on Monday, adding weight to the argument and bringing the topic into a new sphere of debate.
Lord Henley, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Animal Welfare Minister, has also promised to visit our Campaigns Team's stand at the Conservative Party Conference early next month to talk about the issue.
There is much to discuss. The last piece of research on attacks on guide dogs in June 2010 found an average of three attacks a month, which we considered three too many. So you can imagine how we felt to learn that by August this year, the number had jumped to an average of seven a month.
Every single attack has a devastating effect on the person and guide dog concerned. The physical injuries can be horrific, and I am amazed that I haven't heard of a guide dog being killed, or that a guide dog owner hasn't been more seriously hurt.
But the mental scars can run much deeper, with some dogs unable to continue their vital job of being a blind or partially sighted person's eyes. The owners not only lose their mobility aid, and therefore their independence, but also their companion with whom they have formed the strongest of bonds. And that's without mentioning the lost costs to Guide Dogs of breeding, training and looking after a guide dog.
So what do we want to see?
- We want an attack on a guide dog to be treated as seriously as an attack on the guide dog owner themselves, with incidences followed up and prosecutions brought. It is disappointing to learn that police forces do not seem to realise the gravity of these attacks, even though I wrote to all Chief Constables in June 2010 asking them to safeguard our guide dog owners.
- We want compulsory microchipping for all dogs in England and Wales, and we're not alone. Both Guide Dogs and the BVA are members of the Microchipping Alliance, with other members including Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, the RSPCA and Cats Protection, to name but a few.
- We want to encourage responsible dog ownership and for the authorities to have the power to punish those who do not microchip their animals.
Only once these steps are taken might we find our guide dog attack figures falling.
You can help us too by raising the issue of guide dog attacks with your MP. It couldn't be easier - send them an online letter about this shocking problem.
Comments
BARRY, 5:23pm Wed 7 Sep 2011:
I fully agree that the owners of dogs that attack a guide dog should be made liable for prosecution as stated by Mr Leaman.I would like to see them prosecuted as if they had assaulted the guide dog owner, and face a heavy fine also have the dog taken from them in certain cases.The fine should then go to the guide dog association towards training of new dogs.
sarah, 5:57pm Wed 7 Sep 2011:
agreed that microchiping is important. but I think clamping down on people who don't control their dogs is just as big an issue.
This hasn't happened to me, although we did have a close shave once, but it has happened to a friend of mine. In both incidences the owners of the aggressive dog were present, but the animal wasn't on a lead.
this was in a busy city environment, and I would suggest that that's an area that needs to be looked at. not just for the guide dog but dogs running around off the lead are a risk to themselves and could cause serious traffic accidents. Surely there needs to be a clamp down on owners who don't have their dogs leashed.
mary, 6:05pm Wed 7 Sep 2011:
i am training for my first guide dog and find the prospect of my guide dog being attacte by one of theese dogs very daunting it would be really helpful if there could be something done about this
Amanda, 6:13pm Wed 7 Sep 2011:
I have a Guide Dog , Len and it is a worry when we are out and about because of the dogs that are out and sometimes not on a lead.
Karen, 7:30pm Wed 7 Sep 2011:
I am shocked to hear about the attacks on guide dogs.
Following numerous attacks on my dog, he is not a guide dog, I feel that all dogs should be microchipped and have to wear a disc on their collar showing their chip number.
The latest attack on my dog, by a pit bull, left my dog needing stitches and I had to pay the vet bill of nearly £300. I am insured and have had to submit a claim form, but there is a £100 excess. I have had to pay the vet fees as I cannot trace the owner of the pit bull. My dog now seems more wary of other dogs when we are out.
Action needs to be taken against these irresponsible dog owners.
Previous attacks by a dog which has also attacked numerous other dogs, were very scary. The law needs to be changed to ensure the police take action against the owners of dogs who attack other dogs, why wait for them to attack a child?
Jemma, 8:29pm Wed 7 Sep 2011:
It's quite sad to say that I have now lost count of the times my Guide Dog has been attacked in harness by out of control dogs in the streets!
Even in cases where my dog was injured and required veterinary treatment (including having his face stapled back together only a few months ago) both dog wardens and the police had the attitude that it was not a priority for them and on no occasion have any dog owners who have attacked my guide dog got any more than a telling off from a beat officer who knows very little about the legalities of the situation.
I will do anything and everything I can to support Guide Dogs in this Campaign - it has to stop our beloved, brave and hard working dogs need greater protection
maxine, 9:58pm Wed 7 Sep 2011:
i can say that it not nice to be under attack from other dog is not nice on me & my guide dog it leave a scar on things if the attack not nice & dog has to finish there is a long waiting time & more so as bonding has been rip away from owner with there eyes it is like a sighted person having there car taken away & not been able to go any place been band in house as they can'st see to drive
Amanda J, 11:27pm Wed 7 Sep 2011:
Though I can see your logic in insisting that all dogs should be micro-chipped, I don't believe that will actually deal with, let alone solve the problem of guide dog attacks. As there are several dogs in my vacinity that have gone for my guide dog, whose owners would think they are responsible dog owners. It is only because of wisdom I've learned listening to Cesar Milan dog whisperer that I was able to protect my dog and prevent it from happening again. Micro-chipping might help if the guide dog owner has the machine and can swipe the dog attacking them, but otherwise it's NOT necessarily the brightest scheme to have been thought of. Although yes, if you can catch the offending dog before the owner claims it, or it disappears off then micro-chipping might be helpful, it is NOT the answer to preventing all the guide dog attacks.
David, 5:15pm Thu 8 Sep 2011:
Although microchipping is not the complete solution, in conjunction with the other measures we are proposing we are sure that it will help decrease the incidence of dog attacks. By having compulsory microchipping it will also encourage responsible ownership, stop back-street breeding and register the breed of the dog, provide proof of ownership and contact details, which will help in law enforcement issues and retraining programmes. It is a vital step in helping reduce dog attacks and will hopefully pave the way for better legislation in the future.
David Cowdrey, Guide Dogs Campaigns
Claire, 9:53pm Thu 8 Sep 2011:
My Guide dog Trudy has been attacked 3 times this year, twice by the same dog (Staffordshire pitbull). Luckily she has not needed veterinary treatment as each time the owners pulled their dogs away in time, but it has made both Trudy and myself quite wary when strange dogs are nearby. Trudy is totally harmless and it makes me distraught to think that another creature could want to hurt her, especially whilst she is in harness and unable to defend herself.