Charity fears over ‘worrying’ rise in attacks on Bradford guide dogs

The charity Guide Dogs – formerly Guide Dogs for the Blind Association – said yesterday that a “worrying number” of dog attacks have taken place in the Bradford area in recent months.

On Monday staff from the charity in Leeds will meet Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe to discuss the situation.

A charity spokesman said: “There have been a worrying number of dog attacks within the Bradford area on guide dog owners and on a number of guide dog puppies in training.”

Debbie Linford, engagement officer for the charity, said: “Dog attacks are of great concern to Guide Dogs and the number of guide dog owners who are reporting attacks on their dogs is increasing.

“In most cases, the cause of the attack was unprovoked and the aggressor dog was uncontrolled and off the lead.

“Any dog attack is frightening but especially so for someone who is blind or partially sighted.

“The relationship between an assistance dog and its owner is quite different from that between a pet dog and owner. As well as being a constant companion, a guide dog is a mobility aid which gives independence to its owner making an attack even more distressing.”

She said that several guide dog puppies in training have also been attacked in the Bradford area.

“This is extremely concerning as it can result in a puppy never becoming a qualified guide dog as a direct result.”

The attacks can have a significant financial impact on the charity through veterinary bills, retraining of the dog being withdrawn from service.

The charity wants measures to address the issue of dog owners who do not control their dog.

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill would make an attack on an assistance dog an aggravated offence. It will also be an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control when there is ‘reasonable concern’ that it will injure a guide dog.