[NAGDU] Orlando guide dog killed in hit and run

[Cindy Ray]

That is truly a sad and horrific story. I've thought of it happening before,
and I can't even imagine. 
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sherrill O'Brien via
NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2018 5:04 PM
To: flagdu at nfbnet.org; nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sherrill O'Brien <Sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
Subject: [NAGDU] Orlando guide dog killed in hit and run

Hello all,

 

This is truly a terrible accident, and even if they manage to apprehend the
driver who struck this guide dog, it will be difficult to bring charges, as
is too often the case.

 

The first link is to an Orlando TV station piece about the incident. The
second is the link to a story from the Orlando Sentinel. I have pasted that
story below.

 

Sherrill

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/blind-mans-guide-dog-killed-in-hit-and-run-i
n-orlando-fhp-says/731473376

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-pearl-dog-hit-and-run-o
rlando-20180413-story.html

 

Guide dog killed in hit-and-run was owner's link to independence - Orlando
Sentinel

breaking-news/os-pearl-dog-hit-and-run-orlando-20180413-story

Raymond Mahlberg and Pearl

Gal Tziperman Lotan

Pearl was Raymond Mahlberg's link to autonomy.

 

The 6-year-old guide dog helped Mahlberg, an 

Orange County

resident who is legally blind but has partial vision, navigate bus routes,
sidewalks and Universal Orlando, where employees kept Pearl company while he

went on rides.

 

"She's my independence," Mahlberg, 60, said Friday.

 

On Thursday evening, he and Pearl were walking out of their neighborhood
onto Harrell Road, near the intersection of Colonial Drive and State Road
417,

when a silver car hit Pearl. The driver didn't stop, Florida Highway Patrol
Lt. Kim Montes said.  

 

"We are still looking for a silver passenger vehicle that struck the dog and
left," she said Friday.

 

Mahlberg said he was walking with Pearl, who was in her guide-dog harness,
when he felt her turn, then realized she'd been hit. Now, he said, he's
worried

about getting around by himself. He loved the independence Pearl gave him
and worries about having to depend on friends too much.

 

He said he got Pearl four years ago, after the dog went through two years of
intensive training.

 

Mahlberg was always impressed that she was trained not to bark, he said. She
knew how to stand in front of him until traffic stopped when they approached

a curb and how to maneuver around rocks or branches on the sidewalk. When he
took her harness off at home, she was playful and loved spending time with

children in the neighborhood, he said. 

 

Mahlberg said he has contacted the organization he got Pearl from and told
them about the dog's death. For now, he will likely go back to using his
cane

and perhaps have to rely on friends to help him get around.

 

Anyone with more information about the case can call Crimeline at
1-800-423-8477.

 

glotan at orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5774

 

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