[nagdu] Australia: Survey results on dog attacks & public interference

[Ginger Kutsch]

Don't pat guide dogs: experts 
By NATALIE MULLER 
April 28, 2010
 
They're cute canines that every passer-by wants to pat but an
innocent show of affection to a guide dog can put its owner at
risk.
 
Nine out of 10 guide dogs have been distracted while on the job
in the past year, typically by pats from well-meaning members of
the public, a Guide Dogs NSW/ACT client survey has found.
 
Some have been fed and others even attacked by other dogs not on
a leash.
 
A simple pat can cause a guide dog to lose concentration,
potentially endangering the life of its visually impaired owner
while crossing roads, using stairs or on a busy footpath.
 
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT chief executive Dr Graeme White said an attack
by another dog could be disastrous.
 
"All it takes is one encounter, especially with domestic dogs,
and this may cut short the working life of a guide dog," he said
at the survey's release in Sydney on Wednesday.
 
Barbara Bonfield experienced this firsthand when her first guide
dog was attacked by another dog.
 
"It can end up with the dog ... having to be hospitalised and
then retired because it can't work anymore," said Ms Bonfield
said, who has had her third dog, Nara, for five years.
 
The cost of losing a guide dog is high. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
estimates it takes $30,000 and two years to fully train each
animal.
 
Celebrity vet Chris Brown, of Bondi Vet fame, urged people to
admire working dogs from afar.
 
"These dogs aren't just a piece of equipment," Dr Brown said.
 
"They mean a lot to these handlers and if they are put out of
action because of someone's dog attacking them or just losing
their confidence then it's a real tragedy ... considering the
amount of work that's gone in."
 
The survey, released to coincide with Guide Dog Week, found 89
per cent of dogs had experienced distractions such as patting and
feeding from the public, while 88 per cent had been disturbed by
other dogs without a leash.
 
"We were quite astounded to find virtually all our guide dog
users experience this on a daily basis," Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
community education co-ordinator Jennifer Moon said.
 
"Even through this campaign, we've seen the public come up and
pat the guide dogs while they're in a harness."
 
Dr Brown said it's best to stay away.
 
"Unfortunately, people feel they are being polite by coming over
and saying hi," he said.
 
"But it could almost be the opposite in many respects because you
are distracting that dog."
 
Ms Moon estimates about 800 visually impaired people use guide
dogs throughout Australia.
 
For more information about guide dog etiquette visit
www.guidedogs.com.au.
 
Source:
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/dont-pat-guide-dogs
-experts-20100428-trvc.html