[nagdu] South West Wales: Anger after guide dog attacked

[Ginger Kutsch]

Anger after guide dog attacked 

BBC News December 8, 2013 South West Wales 

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-25290099#story_continues
_1

 

A blind woman was left terrified when her guide dog was attacked and injured
just yards from her home.

 

Black labrador Gwen was working and in harness when a loose dog attacked her
by the throat, said owner Julie Rees.

 

Mrs Rees screamed for help following the incident on Ystrad Road in
Fforestfach, Swansea, on Thursday.

 

South Wales Police said there had been no arrests and it was not known if
the small brown and white Staffordshire or terrier cross had been put down.

 

"We had been delivering Christmas cards to friends and were on the pavement
walking home not far from the post office (on Carmarthen Road)," Mrs Rees
said.

 

I always know if there's a dog around because Gwen's head goes up and her
tail wags. She's so friendly.

 

"But this dog did not even stop to sniff her - it just flew at her. I tried
to shield her but it clamped down on her throat and would not let go. Gwen
was in harness and would not fight back.

 

"I think the whole of Fforestfach heard me screaming. It took two men to get
the dog off Gwen."

 

One man held onto the dog, which was wearing a collar, until police arrived
and took the animal away. A motorist took Mrs Rees and Gwen safely home. 

 

"I knew Gwen was hurt because her chest was soaking wet and she winced when
I touched her," she said. "She had bruising and puncture wounds."

 

Gwen suffered bite marks near her windpipe and Mrs Rees is having to bathe
the wounds twice a day.

 

The attack has left both guide dog and owner badly shaken and unable to go
out. 

 

"It is horrendous for any dog to be attacked, but Gwen is my eyes," said Mrs
Rees. "I can't get about without her. 

 

Campaign

 

"Usually if it's just me and her in the house, she cuddles up to me or tries
to get onto my lap, but she's just lying there quietly. She's not herself
and she's eating really slowly, as if her throat hurts." 

 

Guide Dogs Cymru is supporting Mrs Rees and has told her that Gwen will need
assessment and retraining before working again. 

 

The charity has been campaigning for a change in the law so that an attack
on a guide dog is treated as an attack on its owner. 

 

Andrea Gordon, engagement manager for Guide Dogs Cymru, said: "We believe
the proposed change in the law cannot come quickly enough for owners who
have to deal with the devastating consequences of attacks. 

 

"When a guide dog is attacked, someone with sight loss can completely lose
their means of getting out and about independently. 

 

"The impact on their life is huge and this is why we have campaigned so hard
to get the law changed."