[nagdu] y New Jersey needs Dusty's Law: A puppy-raiser's story

Wed Aug 28 14:39:33 UTC 2013

y New Jersey needs Dusty's Law: A puppy-raiser's story

Posted by Morristown Green Contributor
<http://morristowngreen.com/author/morristowngreencontributor/>  on August
28, 2013 . Leave a Comment
<http://morristowngreen.com/2013/08/28/why-new-jersey-needs-dustys-law-a-pup
py-raisers-story/#respond>  

By Kirsten Eversen

Attacks and interference against guide dogs by aggressive dogs can inflict
physical, emotional, and financial harm to the guide dog and its handler,
inhibiting the guide dog team's ability to work safely and effectively.
<http://cliffviewpilot.com/nj-senate-approves-dustys-law-protecting-service-
animals/> Dusty's Law, if passed, will offer greater protection against dogs
that kill, injure, or interfere with a guide dog.

My family and I are "puppy raisers" for  <http://www.seeingeye.org/> The
Seeing Eye Inc. A puppy raiser is someone who fosters a specially bred dog
for about a year, raising it in a loving home environment, teaching it basic
obedience, and exposing it to a variety of real life experiences before it
is returned to The Seeing Eye for advanced guide dog training.

 <http://morristowngreen.com/files/2013/08/Skittles-MG4.jpg> Skittles as a
puppy. Photo courtesy of Kirsten Eversen

Skittles as a puppy. Photo courtesy of Kirsten Eversen

We have raised four Seeing Eye dogs, all of which successfully made it
through the program. Our third dog, Skittles, a female German Shepherd, was
placed with a middle-aged woman with a big yard and an active lifestyle. I
was sad to see Skittles go, but felt assured that she would live a
fulfilling and happy life.

Two years later, Skittles was attacked by a dog while walking in harness.
She became traumatized and was forced to give up her career as a guide dog.
Her owner was unable to keep Skittles, so she came back to my family as a
pet. Skittles settled back into our home but despite her readjustment,
Skittles was originally destined to be a guide dog and the fact that
something so sudden and preventable destroyed her call in life breaks my
heart.

Too many guide dog teams throughout the country have had similar
experiences. In a 2011 survey conducted by The Seeing Eye, 44 percent of
respondents reported experiencing at least one attack and 83 percent of
respondents experienced interference by an aggressive dog. Most of these
negative encounters took place within walking distance of the guide dog
team's home.

Experiencing an attack can be traumatizing for any pet and its owner, but
the effects are worse to a handler who relies on his or her dog for daily
travel.

"Unlike pets, guide dogs provide an essential service to people who are
blind," says Ginger Kutsch, advocacy specialist for The Seeing Eye. "When a
guide dog is suddenly unable to perform these duties because of attacks or
interference, the immediate safety of both guide dog and handler can be
severely compromised."

Emotional distress caused by the ordeal can lead the blind individual to
fear future attacks, resulting in the lack of confidence necessary to travel
independently. In addition, the dog or person could suffer physical wounds
requiring costly medical and or veterinarian attention.

Furthermore, the time and money that was invested in the breeding, raising,
training and matching of the Seeing Eye dog can be lost within seconds. On
average, $60,000 will be spent by the time the guide dog is matched, a goal
only about 60 percent of potential guide dogs reach.

State laws protecting the rights of guide dogs and handlers vary, but few
provide real protection, compensation, and lawful response. These attacks
often receive limited response because animal control officers cannot assist
immediately and do not work on nights or weekends. If passed, Dusty's Law
would offer round-the-clock police protection for New Jersey's guide dog
teams who need immediate assistance.

Unanimously approved by the state Senate in December, Dusty's Law is
scheduled for consideration this fall by the Assembly Law and Public Safety
committee. The bill would hold reckless dog owners accountable for their
pet's actions by enforcing fines and in extreme cases, a jail sentence. The
Seeing Eye has been reaching out to legislators to sign on as co-sponsors.

 <http://morristowngreen.com/files/2013/08/Skittles-MG1.jpg> Skittles'
career as a guide dog was cut short when an aggressive dog attacked. Photo
courtesy of Kirsten Eversen.

Skittles' career as a guide dog was cut short when an aggressive dog
attacked. Photo courtesy of Kirsten Eversen.

The proposal and inspiration for Dusty's Law comes from the 2010 attack on a
then-9-month-old Seeing Eye puppy in training, Dusty. While training with
puppy raiser Roger Woodhour, Dusty was charged by an aggressive dog.

Woodhour tried to help defend Dusty and in the process, lost the tip of his
finger and sustained permanent nerve damage to his hand. Dusty eventually
recovered from his many physical injuries, but was pulled out of the Seeing
Eye, Inc. due to the emotional effects of the attack.

As Dusty's Law (A4105
<http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A4500/4105_I1.HTM> ) waits to be
heard in the Assembly, the public can help prevent future attacks and
interference on guide dogs.

"The first step is to realize that any dog, even a family pet, can pose a
threat if the dog is not kept under good control at all times," Kutsch
explains.

Obeying the state's leash law and following town ordinances is important for
the safety of both pets and guide dogs. Morristown codes forbid the tying of
dogs to parking meters or other objects and mandate a maximum leash length
of six feet long, ensuring dogs should be supervised at all times.

In addition, if you witness an attack or interference, offer assistance to
the handler and call proper authorities. Take responsibility for your own
dog, report loose dogs to the authority, and encourage your friends and
family to do the same.

By taking these steps, you can help prevent future stories like Skitttles'.
Although Skittles can no longer guide a person who is blind, maybe she was
destined to lead this bill into law.

Kirsten Eversen is a senior at Mendham High School. She and her family have
raised puppies for The Seeing Eye Inc. of Morris Township.

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