Aussies's Guide Dog Attacked In Nz

[Panto]

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/aussiess-guide-dog-attacked-in-nz-20110708-1h5gl.html

Aussies's guide dog attacked in NZ

July 8, 2011 - 8:49AM NZPA

New Zealand police say they will lay charges against the owner of a Staffordshire-cross bull terrier which attacked a visiting Australian's guide dog.

The eight year-old golden labrador was set upon by the bull terrier in Hamilton on Thursday while it was walking with his blind owner, Anne Ferguson, an Australian PHD student visiting the country on an academic trip.

Police said it appeared the bull terrier leaped from a parked car's open door after noticing the guide dog.

The bull terrier's owner and Ms Ferguson's husband were also both attacked after trying to pull the dog off the labrador, police said.

Ms Ferguson and the wounded guide dog eventually managed to take refuge in a nearby store.

The guide dog was taken to a vet for treatment, while the bull terrier cross was taken away by dog control officers.

Police are considering what charges would be laid.

"We will be meeting with the council later today to identify the most appropriate charges to be laid," a police spokesman said.

© 2011 NZPA

[Scarlet]

It's horrific when any dog is attacked but for a guide dog and the owner it must be a nightmare.

I hope the dog can continue it's work and gets over this attack.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I hope the attacking dog is put to sleep. Attacks on Guide Dogs in the UK are very common, owners of vicious dogs deserve severe punishment for allowing such an attack to take place. imagine the terror of the blind person? People know what their dogs are capable of and yet they are also incapable of protecting the public and their pets - throw the book at them.

[persephone]

Now we have possibly another GD who will be too reactive to work safely again . Poor owner, poor dog.

It would be scary for a blind person .. I remember one of the tests ( for the dog) when I was learning to train GD's _ i was blindfolded and had an earpiece in .. and my boss suddenly said in my ear ..

" Just be calm, and encourage your dog - there's a big GSD sunning himself on the footpath "

Uh, Huh. Calm.Yep. My dog , and the GSD ,didn't bat an eyelid .. ( my dog did get a good bum-wiggle going tho ;) I will never forget that - not being able to see a thing ..and waiting for the worst :p

[Brennan's Mum]

How horrifying for the Blind lady and her dog , truly a nightmare for the poor lady. I hope the dog can continue to work.

What would be the likely course of action? would the Guide dog have to be reviewed for any sign of potential behavioural changes/ issues?

[GeckoTree]

I read NZ herald report and apparently the guy who owned the attacking dog was trying to leave . A Bunch of people from the shops stopped him.

Anyway that's what that paper said.

I hope Perry makes a full recovery and has the great temperament to not be out of a job.

[Atanquin]

So scary!! I feel so bad for the GD and the owner she depends so much on her loving companion and for that to happen to him and being blind you would feel a bit helpless to stop it I hope the dog recovers and the owners of the other dog take responcablity and I hate dog being pts even dangerous ones but it's not like you could rehome him and would end up being pts anyway

[Katie P]

How horrible especially for the blind owner.....not being able to see anything which is going on. Good on everyone for stopping him for leaving. I hope the attacking dog's owner gets heavily penalized.