[nagdu] South East Wales: Microchip call over dog attacks

[Ginger Kutsch]

South East Wales: Microchip call over dog attacks

7 January 2012 

BBC News South East Wales

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-16575037?print=true

Photo: Norman lost part of his ear and needed emergency surgery as a result
of the attack 

 

A call has been made for compulsory microchipping of all dogs after an
attack on a guide dog.

 

Kirsten Barrett and her labrador Norman were attacked outside their home in
Corntown, Bridgend, by a rottweiler and a Staffordshire bull terrier cross. 

 

Police believe that the dogs had been dumped by their owners.

 

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) said microchipping was
affordable and would change the culture of ownership.

 

Norman lost part of an ear and blood in the attack and needed emergency
surgery.

 

Neither of the animals was microchipped, making it unlikely the owners will
be found.

 

The attack on Norman and Mrs Barrett, who is completely blind, was witnessed
by her seven-year-old daughter as they left the house to go to the school
bus stop.

 

Mrs Barrett said all three had been left traumatised.

 

"Apparently the dogs had been hanging around our street since about ten
o'clock the previous night," she told BBC Wales.

 

Photo:  Norman had injuries across his sides and legs 

 

"The rottweiler just jumped on Norman, and started biting and shaking him.

 

"I told my daughter to carry on walking away, so she didn't get hurt, while
I tried to get in between them. But it was too strong, and I got bitten on
the hand and leg as well. 

 

"Eventually I managed to get Norman into a neighbour's house, but even then
this dog was flying at the glass trying to get at him."

 

Mrs Barrett praised her neighbours' efforts to help.

 

"One chased the dogs away with a stick, and another rushed Norman and me to
the vet," she added.

 

"It could have been much worse, but even so I'm angry and frightened about
the sort of person who'd dump dogs like this on the street.

 

"My daughter's too terrified to talk about it."

 

Across the UK attacks on guide dogs average seven per month, with six
incidents reported in Wales in the 18 months to December 2011.

 

'Back-street breeders'

 

Each year four guide dogs are so badly injured that they either have to be
put down or are immediately retired.

 

Of those who make a full physical recovery, many are too traumatised ever to
work again.

 

Kirsten Barrett was also injured in the attack 

James White, the GDBA's head of campaigns, said: "We've met opposition to
our call for microchipping, from people who say it's too costly and too
bureaucratic, but a microchip costs around £10-15.

 

"Even if you add on a small amount per dog for the administration of a
national database, then you're still talking about something which is
eminently affordable."

 

"Quite frankly if you can't afford a microchip, then you can't afford to own
a dog responsibly, and shouldn't have it in the first place.

 

"Responsible ownership is at the heart of this. [Microchipping] won't catch
everyone, but it will change the culture of dog ownership, and stamp out the
back-street breeders.

 

"We'd also call on police forces to take these attacks more seriously. Of
147 attacks between June 2010 and last December, I'm not aware of a single
prosecution of a dog owner."

 

The UK government has launched a consultation exercise on compulsory
microchipping, but have given no firm commitment to making it law in
England.

 

However a Welsh government spokesman said it was closer to bringing a bill
before the Welsh assembly, with consultation early in 2012.