Guide Dog Attacked

[BarbedWire]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-03/guide-dog-attacked-by-off-lead-dogs-in-the-centre-of-canberra/7993314

Guide dog attacked by off-lead dogs in centre of Canberra

By Georgia Hitch

Posted yesterday at 3:52pm

Someone mid-walk with a guide dog.

PHOTO: This was the third time the guide dog had been attacked by off-lead dogs. (Supplied: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT)

MAP: Canberra 2600

A guide dog has been attacked by two dogs in the centre of Canberra, prompting a warning from Guide Dogs Australia about keeping animals on a leash.

The dog and its handler were walking through the city bus interchange late last week when the two dogs approached and began to maul the guide dog.

"While the attacking dogs did not bite me, they both managed to get their jaws around my guide dog's face and neck," the handler, who has not been named, said.

The handler said despite a crowd in the area, only two people came to help remove the attacking dogs.

"They walked with me to my bus stop at the other end of East Row, where we checked my guide dog for injuries," the handler said.

"Although he didn't seem to have any wounds he just lay on the ground."

The dog received an injury and swelling to its lip. It is not known if there will be any lasting behavioural damage.

The handler said the attacking dogs' owner did not help and watched on as the situation unfolded.

ACT Police were called and arranged for the animals to be removed by Domestic Animal Services.

According to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT it was the third time the guide dog had been attacked by off-lead dogs since the handler moved to Canberra three years ago.

The organisation is urging Canberra dog owners to keep their pets on leads, even if they're friendly, to ensure guide dogs are safe and not distracted.

My bolding. This is sickening especially the bolded parts

[stellnme]

There's just no getting through to some people. Amazed that the owner was there and just watched on. How hard is it to put your dogs on a leash?

[asal]

There's just no getting through to some people. Amazed that the owner was there and just watched on. How hard is it to put your dogs on a leash?

TRAGIC.

all the laws being formulated to control who breeds a dog and still people do not exercise control of the dog or dogs they have, its simply unbelieviable this could be not only allowed to happen but the owner does not stop them? leave it to stangers?

[persephone]

hate reading about these

[Tempus Fugit]

Like many other cities, the area in question is in the middle of the cbd, frequented by people of low socio-economic background and mental issues living in ajacent suburbs. Such people do not always act reponsibly, whether as dog owners or otherwise.

[Simply Grand]

Unbelievable

I can't believe anyone would have dogs off lead in that area in the first place, so many people and buses driving around that could easily hit them, let alone letting them get anywhere near a guide dog.

ETA Tempus, I have to say that is the situation I was picturing unfortunately

Edited November 4, 2016 by Simply Grand

[Tempus Fugit]

And even if a massive fine were imposed,the owner probably wouldn't have the money to pay it.

[BarbedWire]

Like many other cities, the area in question is in the middle of the cbd, frequented by people of low socio-economic background and mental issues living in ajacent suburbs. Such people do not always act reponsibly, whether as dog owners or otherwise.

Because people are of low socio-economic background does not mean they act irresponsibly and if it did it is not excusable. The guide dog owner and his dog have rights too and they should be able to walk around the bus exchange area safely. As for people with mental issues shame on a society which does not care for them.

And even if a massive fine were imposed,the owner probably wouldn't have the money to pay it.

Because someone cannot pay a fine does not mean they should not be charged or be allowed to break the law. Perhaps community service might be more appropriate in this case although it would mean less revenue for the government.

As for the dog I hope it is unscarred by the experience and does not become reactive. Poor dog, just doing its job and other dogs attack it. It would have been in harness and its ability to defend itself would have been limited.

[Loving my Oldies]

There's just no getting through to some people. Amazed that the owner was there and just watched on. How hard is it to put your dogs on a leash?

I live in a quiet suburban area which is popular for walking just as exercise and walking the dogs. There are a few intractables who believe they are above the laws, one even to the extent he thinks it is fine for his dog to jump my (very low) fence snd run around my yard.

I really don't think that low socio economics has a lot to do with it: some people are just ego centric no matter how many dollars are in their wallets.

As for the owner not assisting? I think the above applies again. Some people are incapable of processing the point that their rights bring as many if not more responsibilities.

All that said, a horrible and sad situation.

[Two Best Dogs!]

Think you'll find people who think they're the exception to leash laws exist no matter the socioeconomic background. Claiming it's only a specific sort of people helps no-one.

Their dog is amazing, they have a special bond, they dont believe dogs should be tethered, they want to show off their offleash skills, they think it will get the dog more exercise, they want to socialise their dog, they're ignorant, they're clueless, they have a big ego, their dog is a friendly precious angel, "dogs will be dogs"*, they're just lazy, it was "only the one time", they didn't think it'd happen, they do it all the time and never had a problem before, they see other people doing it and think it is ok...many and more reasons I can't think of that people seem to think that they're the one exception to leash only areas.

Unfortunately.

Then all dog owners get a bad rap because of the above, restrictions come in, allowances taken away.

*word for word a man in an upmarket fancy suburb gave me because his angry barking offlead dog was following us down the street making little lunges and I got cranky about it because T was beginning to get upset.

[melzawelza]

The council area I work within is an extremely high socio economic area. Dogs being walked off leash is one of the biggest problems I have to deal with.

Edited November 5, 2016 by melzawelza

[BarbedWire]

I have been thinking about this and sometimes I think that people allow their dogs to be off lead because they can't control them on lead because they are such strong pullers and they let them go off lead because it is easier and doesn't look so embarrassing. At the offlead dog park I often see people just drive up open their back door to let Fido out who then charges down to the offlead park gate and hopefully waits there for the owner to catch up.

[Scottsmum]

This story just makes my blood boil!

The council area I work within is an extremely high socio economic area. Dogs being walked off leash is one of the biggest problems I have to deal with.

Worst council (in terms of how I was treated as a council worker) I ever worked for was Hunters Hill (in Sydney - small and posh) - I was contantly treated like shit. I worked for both Blacktown and Fairfield a few years later - much nicer demographic.

Edited November 6, 2016 by Scottsmum

[Sheridan]

It's not low socioeconomics if the incident at my dog training is anything to go by. Person opens up the back of her expensive 4WD. Dog jumps out and races up to mine. I step out in from of Bunny, put my foot out to prevent the dog getting any closer and shout 'No!' at it. Woman says all offended, 'Excuse me! My dog is okay.'

Stupidly clueless knows no economic status.

[Canisbellum]

I think owners like that need to feel the full effect of the law, it almost seems like it's too much trouble to sort this kind of thing out. I cycled past one dear yesterday. Walking leash in hand dog running in front of her, and next to main road. I ask her if she is special because her dog is off lead in a public area. All I got is much abuse hurled at me. Constantly get the "he's friendly or doesn't bite" amazing how many of those dogs have bitten Jonah. I now start shouting no with my hand up and block the dog as soon as I see it coming towards us.