[Flagdu] Orlando guide dog killed in hit and run

[Carlos Montas]

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 14, 2018, at 5:04 PM, Sherrill O'Brien via FLAGDU <flagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> 
> 
> This is truly a terrible accident, and even if they manage to apprehend the
> driver who struck this guide dog, it will be difficult to bring charges, as
> is too often the case.
> 
> 
> 
> The first link is to an Orlando TV station piece about the incident. The
> second is the link to a story from the Orlando Sentinel. I have pasted that
> story below.
> 
> 
> 
> Sherrill
> 
> https://www.wftv.com/news/local/blind-mans-guide-dog-killed-in-hit-and-run-i
> n-orlando-fhp-says/731473376
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-pearl-dog-hit-and-run-o
> rlando-20180413-story.html
> 
> 
> 
> Guide dog killed in hit-and-run was owner's link to independence - Orlando
> Sentinel
> 
> breaking-news/os-pearl-dog-hit-and-run-orlando-20180413-story
> 
> Raymond Mahlberg and Pearl
> 
> Gal Tziperman Lotan
> 
> Pearl was Raymond Mahlberg's link to autonomy.
> 
> 
> 
> The 6-year-old guide dog helped Mahlberg, an 
> 
> Orange County
> 
> resident who is legally blind but has partial vision, navigate bus routes,
> sidewalks and Universal Orlando, where employees kept Pearl company while he
> 
> went on rides.
> 
> 
> 
> "She's my independence," Mahlberg, 60, said Friday.
> 
> 
> 
> On Thursday evening, he and Pearl were walking out of their neighborhood
> onto Harrell Road, near the intersection of Colonial Drive and State Road
> 417,
> 
> when a silver car hit Pearl. The driver didn't stop, Florida Highway Patrol
> Lt. Kim Montes said.  
> 
> 
> 
> "We are still looking for a silver passenger vehicle that struck the dog and
> left," she said Friday.
> 
> 
> 
> Mahlberg said he was walking with Pearl, who was in her guide-dog harness,
> when he felt her turn, then realized she'd been hit. Now, he said, he's
> worried
> 
> about getting around by himself. He loved the independence Pearl gave him
> and worries about having to depend on friends too much.
> 
> 
> 
> He said he got Pearl four years ago, after the dog went through two years of
> intensive training.
> 
> 
> 
> Mahlberg was always impressed that she was trained not to bark, he said. She
> knew how to stand in front of him until traffic stopped when they approached
> 
> a curb and how to maneuver around rocks or branches on the sidewalk. When he
> took her harness off at home, she was playful and loved spending time with
> 
> children in the neighborhood, he said. 
> 
> 
> 
> Mahlberg said he has contacted the organization he got Pearl from and told
> them about the dog's death. For now, he will likely go back to using his
> cane
> 
> and perhaps have to rely on friends to help him get around.
> 
> 
> 
> Anyone with more information about the case can call Crimeline at
> 1-800-423-8477.
> 
> 
> 
> glotan at orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5774
> 
> 
> 
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