Guide Dogs welcomes crackdown on irresponsible dog owners

Guide Dogs is delighted that the Government has today published plans to start tackling the issue of irresponsible dog owners.

Compulsory microchipping of all dogs in England will come into force from April 2016. Guide Dogs has been campaigning on this issue since 2010.

Chief Executive, Richard Leaman, said: “We are delighted that the Government has listened to Guide Dogs’ call for compulsory microchipping. This is a vital first step to protecting guide dog owners’ freedom.”

On average, eight guide dogs are attacked by other dogs every month. These attacks are devastating for the dog and the owner, and can rob someone with sight loss of their means of getting out and about on their own, leaving them living in isolation.

Mr Leaman added “Compulsory microchipping promotes responsible dog ownership and gives the police an effective tool to identify a dog’s owner and hold them responsible for their dog’s behaviour. It will also make it harder for backstreet breeders to operate.”

Guide Dogs believes this step, together with new measures being brought in by the Home Office, will help to protect guide dogs. These measures mean that irresponsible dog owners could be fined and banned from keeping dogs, or face up to 18 months in prison if their dog injures a person.

Guide Dogs worked closely with 16 other organisations in the Microchipping Alliance to campaign for compulsory microchipping. The charity has also worked with the police, including the new Police and Crime Commissioners, to highlight the problem of attacks on guide dogs and ensure police officers respond to these attacks appropriately.

Mr Leaman continued: “Attacks on assistance dogs must be treated seriously and lead to appropriate sanctions for irresponsible dog owners.” 

For more on Guide Dogs’ Dog Attacks campaign visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns.

Watch guide dog owners talk about the impact of attacks on guide dogs:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeIPsv4NAg8&feature=youtu.be