Our Recommendations

Guide Dogs make five recommendations, two for the Governments in England, Wales and Scotland, one for the Police, and two for dog owners:

For the Governments in England, Wales and Scotland

Introduce compulsory microchipping

• Identifying animals and establishing proof of ownership can prevent disputes, but also help enforcement agencies in talking anti-social dog behaviour and holding owners to account.
• It will help prevent back street breeding of illegal breeds.
• The very low cost of a microchip will encourage responsible ownership, which in turn will reduce attacks and improve animal welfare.
• Should a dog escape or become lost the animal can be reunited quickly preventing distress and huge kennelling costs for police forces and local authorities.

An attack on a guide dog or assistance dog should be seen as an attack on the person.

For the Police

Better reporting and enforcement

• There needs be better reporting forms and training for police officers in dealing with dog on guide dog attacks and better information on interviewing blind or partially sighted people.
• Establishing ownership of aggressor animals means that it is very difficult for police to bring about a successful prosecution or encourage responsible ownership and training.  Again compulsory microchipping would solve this issue and help tackle dog on guide dog attacks.
• Specialist Police status dog units spend £ millions each year in kennel costs as they are unable to prove ownership, which delays court proceedings and in turn leads to more distress for the animals concerned.

For Dog Owners

Have full control over your dog and to be aware of guide dog and other assistance dogs who are working and to make sure no negative interaction takes place

• Using a lead or muzzle to prevent attacks if your dog is over enthusiastic or aggressive.
• To call your dog away from a guide dog or assistance dog.
• Check before letting your dog off the lead that no guide dogs are around.

Undertake advanced dog training if you feel that your dog needs it

• To encourage good recall.
• To reinforce good basic commands.
• To help change bad or anti-social behaviour that your dog may have picked up.