Awful Guide Dog story...

[Bex668]

Hiya, today in my local paper there was a story about a guide dog that was savagely attacked by another dog in the middle of the city centre!
This poor guide dog has been left injured and may not be able to help its blind owner again.
Obviously it's awful for the guide dog and his owner but what about the other dog that did the attacking? I wonder what'll happen to him now!
What do you all think?

Have a look at the story anyway...

http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/G...ity.3549696.jp (http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Guide-dog-butchered-in-city.3549696.jp)

[skunkstripe]

That IS awful! :mad: I'm surprised that dogs are allowed to roam free like that in a busy area. It sounds like that nasty dog either needs to be muzzled or tethered if the owner cannot or will not control it.

[PoppyPuppy]

Will post again when I have more time but

:mad::mad::mad:

[applesmom]

That's sad:(!

The owner of the attacking dog said the dog was always on a leash. The story claims it wasn't.

Can't help but wonder which is the truth, but it would seem that if the dog had been on a leash the attack could have been prevented; or at least stopped before serious harm was done to the guide dog.

Hope they do a follow up story on the situation!

[indie_girl]

i dunno what story to believe but its all horrible! If you were homeless wouldnt you consider NOT getting a dog -i a mean you havn't even got enough money to look after yourself!

[applesmom]

i dunno what story to believe but its all horrible! If you were homeless wouldnt you consider NOT getting a dog -i a mean you havn't even got enough money to look after yourself!

Many homeless individuals take on dogs because they're homeless just like themselves. The dog is often the only one they can turn to for love and understanding. Being homeless doesn't always mean an individual has no means of support or can't take care of their dog.

[indie_girl]

Oh. sorry i didnt mean to upset you, but the events were frightening! I hope you don't think i am a horrible person because of what i wrote. I am sure dogs help Homeless people get through the problems they face every day. If i was homeless i understand now that the only creatures i could turn to for comfort and company would be my dogs.:D

[applesmom]

Oh. sorry i didnt mean to upset you, but the events were frightening! I hope you don't think i am a horrible person because of what i wrote. I am sure dogs help Homeless people get through the problems they face every day. If i was homeless i understand now that the only creatures i could turn to for comfort and company would be my dogs.:D

I'm not upset at all. I was just thinking outloud in print!;)

Several of the homeless people I see while I'm out and about have dogs. They love their dogs and take wonderful care of them. Better than some of my neighbors who do have homes and let their dogs roam the neighborhood! :)

[Gideon's_Girl]

thats awful! :mad:

[PoppyPuppy]

OK let me say this: Guide dogs from being BORN are socialised and trained to the highest standards to do their job.

They are trained to ignore other dogs completely when they are working. They never even make contact with dogs whilst they are working not even sniffing them or looking at them - they are too busy concentrating on guiding the person!

There is NO way on this earth that the guide dog "attacked" some random dog. This other dog "Warrior" probably attacked the guide dog and the owner is afraid of getting prosecuted. If a guide dog is attacked, of course it will try to defend itself. This is why there may have then been a struggle.

ON THE PLUS SIDE I heard of this happening to a dog which then became guide dog of the year! See this story for a happy ending: (video included)
http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/index.php?id=5798

Dawn

[skunkstripe]

Dawn it was the other way around. It was not the Guide Dog who did the attacking, the Guide Dog was attacked and injured by a loose dog on the street. :mad:

[PoppyPuppy]

Well exactly...a guide dog would never attack another dog. They are trained too well for that.

I mean these are dogs who ignore every distraction when guiding, no matter what happens!

Dawn

[indie_girl]

Whenever i am out and about with my dog, i watch out more for the owner of a dog more than the dog or its breed. if it is a man - sorry if this offends anyone, or some one with a hoodie i will put indie on a lead. This is simply for her protection, i can't imagine how it must feel to be helpless to save your dog in this kind of situation due to disabilities. My heart goes out to anyone who has ever suffered a tradgedy concering their dog.

[Nicolelj]

Well exactly...a guide dog would never attack another dog. They are trained too well for that.

I mean these are dogs who ignore every distraction when guiding, no matter what happens!

Dawn

I have to disagree here. There have been incidents where guide dogs have lunged at other dogs, pulled their handlers across streets to visit people or other dogs, stole food while grocery shopping and so on. Guide dogs are not infalible. They are only as good as their training(and not all trainers or training facilities are training the dogs properly). And they are only as good as the handler who has them. If the handler does not keep up with what the trainer of the dog had taught them and instructed them to do then the dogs training can go down the tubes.

I know the guide Dog was not at fault here but I had to correct that statement.
Nicole & Ronan

[PoppyPuppy]

I'm sure that kind of Guide Dog incident is the exception!

But yes, they are not infallible. They are animals after all and have instincts.

Dawn

[Nicolelj]

I'm sure that kind of Guide Dog incident is the exception!

But yes, they are not infallible. They are animals after all and have instincts.

Dawn

Yup it is, thank goodness. I didn't mean to step on your toes or anything. I use a Service Dog so always take notice of any Service Dog thread. I just wanted to let people know that they are not perfect, no dog is. That is all.
Nicole & Ronan