[nagdu] NZ: Roaming dog attacks rise

[Aleeha Dudley]

This is a frightening and disturbing trend. Fortunately, in my town,
there don't appear to be many dogs, let alone aggressive ones. I hope
that tougher legislation can be put into place to help this. I know if
my dog were attacked, I wouldn't know what to do. I know what The
Seeing Eye taught us, but I don't know if I could think straight if
Dalllas was being attacked. I know that it could be possible to get a
picture, if blurry, of the dog, or to shout loudly so that the public
might hear or the aggressive dog could be startled. Has anyone had
this unfortunate experience or have any ideas as to what to do should
something like this happen?
Aleeha and Dallas

On 7/7/13, Ginger Kutsch <GingerKutsch at yahoo.com> wrote:
> NZ: Roaming dog attacks rise
>
> By Russell Blackstock
>
> 5:30 AM Sunday Jul 7, 2013✩Save
>
> http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1
> <http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10895186>
> &objectid=10895186
>
>
>
> Vicious animals attack guide dogs and pets
>
>
>
> Joan Lake and Niesha. Photo / Stephen Barker
>
>
>
> Attacks on guide dogs by out-of-control canines have increased this year,
> leaving owners and animals injured and distressed.
>
>
>
> The charity Guide Dog Services says four dogs have been "significantly"
> mauled in the past eight months when they were with their handlers.
>
>
>
> "We would normally expect a couple of such attacks every year, but this has
> already doubled in the past few months," said Pauline Dorking, client
> services manager at the Foundation for the Blind.
>
>
>
> "It is distressing for the owners, who don't know what is happening,"
> Dorking said.
>
>
>
> "We have also had puppies withdrawn from training schemes because their
> behaviour changed after being attacked."
>
>
>
> New Zealand has 224 guide dogs. Recent violent incidents include:
>
>
>
> • On April 5, a pup being taken home from school in Manurewa by walkers was
> savaged by two dogs. It took bystanders several minutes to break the dogs'
> grip. The puppy was treated for puncture wounds and withdrawn from the
> training programme.
>
>
>
> • On March 15, a pup was attacked by a bull terrier that leaped from a
> vehicle and savaged the guide dog in a shop doorway in Te Atatu.
>
>
>
> The pup suffered bites to its front legs and is being monitored to see if it
> is fit to resume training.
>
>
>
> • On September 11, a pup was attacked in a park in Papatoetoe. It took two
> people to prise the animals apart. The guide dog had puncture wounds to her
> ear and chin and is not responding well to further ongoing training. The dog
> responsible was impounded then destroyed.
>
>
>
> "Sadly, a lot of these cases are not able to be resolved because the handler
> is not able to describe the dog or the location," Dorking said.
>
>
>
> Bob Kerridge, executive director at the SPCA in Auckland, said the
> increasing numbers of attacks on guide dogs was of concern.
>
>
>
> "These attacks are very traumatic for the handlers and guide dogs," he said.
> "The owners are pretty powerless when their guide dog is attacked and it can
> be a very frightening experience."
>
>
>
> In May, deaf-blind Joan Lake's beloved guide dog Niesha (picture) was mauled
> in the street by a snarling American bulldog.
>
>
>
> The 57-year-old from Templeview, Hamilton, was helped by passing motorists
> who stopped to help.
>
>
>
> "Someone apparently kicked the bulldog in its private parts because it was
> the only way to get it to let go of Niesha," Lake said.
>
>
>
> Lake had to pay more than $1,000 in vet bills for puncture wounds on her
> labrador and to treat resulting infections. The bulldog was later put down.
>
>
>
> "I worry it might happen again and there is nothing I could do about it."
>
>
>
> - Herald on Sunday
>
> By Russell Blackstock Email Russell
>
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