Protect our guide dogs (From Oxford Mail)

Protect our guide dogs

10:00am Friday 6th July 2012 in Letters

IN response to Betty Rogers’ letter of June 28, I would like to expand on the subject of uncontrolled dog attacks.

Richard Leaman, chief executive of Guide Dogs, recently addressed MPs at a reception in the Houses of Parliament on the subject of increased attacks on guide dogs, asking MPs to back a call by the Guide Dog Association for compulsory microchipping of dogs within two years.

He also asked them to raise awareness of guide dog attacks with their local police forces, urging them to take these attacks more seriously.

Shockingly, eight guide dogs a month are attacked by uncontrolled dogs, leading to such trauma that some never work again and are retired early.

Similarly, the trauma to the guide dog owner is equally damaging.

Sadly, this figure is a new high, and means it is vital we keep pressure on politicians and police forces to adopt new measures of addressing the situation.

Guide Dogs have a website at guidedogs.org.uk that you can visit to add your voice to the campaign.

KATH MULLIGAN, chairwoman, Oxford and District Branch, Leiden Road, Headington