Guide dog savaged during walk in Coventry city centre

[dutchman]

A partially-sighted Coventry man has told of his horror after his guide dog was attacked by an out-of-control dog in Coventry city centre.



Andy Fletcher’s guide dog, Zimba, was attacked outside Cash Generators, in Trinity Street – leaving him so badly injured that Guide Dog charity bosses even feared he would have to be retired.

Now the 45-year-old, from Foleshill, has issued a warning to other dog owners.

He said: “It just came out of the blue.

“He was attacked by a dog. The owner couldn’t control it at all.

“Someone from inside the shop came out and had to kick the dog off. He then scarpered.”

He said Zimba had to be taken to the vet for treatment but thankfully was now recovering – although his ordeal has left him wary around other dogs.

Tony Murray, service delivery manager at Guide Dogs, said: “The dog which bit Zimba left a tooth in the bone in his leg. He required surgery to remove it.

“Most dogs do resume work after rehabilitation but some dogs have to be retired after physical recovery.

He added: “Zimba is in his early days of recovery and we need to follow the formal process of assessment before we can say if he needs to be retired.

“At the moment we are happy with his progress.”

Mr Murray said that sadly the Leamington-based charity was receiving an increasing number of reports of guide dogs being attacked.

He said: “On a national level we have seen an increase in the number of dog attacks that are actually reported.”

Graham Kensett, head of the mobility team for Guide Dogs, spoke to the Telegraph about how guide dogs can be protected and how prosecutions for attacks can be secured.

He said: “We are building a solid relationship with the police. We now have a service level agreement in place where the forces will follow guidance on dealing with guide dog attacks.

“It’s no longer just a case of being told to speak to the dog warden about an attack.”

And Mr Kensett added: “An attack on a guide dog has a huge impact not only on the people who have lost their aid and companion, but also on the charity financially.

“It’s important that people know not to distract a working guide dog.

“Please keep your own dog on a lead and under control when around a guide dog that is working.”

Coventry Police are investigating the attack on Zimba. Anyone who saw the incident, at about 12pm on Wednesday December 10, is asked to contact them on 101.

[rebbonk]

All dogs ought be on a lead whilst out like this.

I walk my dog on a lead and when unleashed dogs run up to him he gets a bit 'antsy'. Often the owners of these un-teathered dogs will moan that mine seems rather aggressive. What do they expect when he feels at a distinct disadvantage should a fight break out? Keep your bl**dy dogs on a lead!

[dutchman]

I've seen shoppers wander through town with their pit-bulls roaming loose alongside them.

It's just one of the reasons I avoid the city centre (there are many more).