Dog attacks campaign success

Frank Salt and his guide dog Lewis

Frank Salt, a guide dog user from Castleton, has welcomed the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill finally receiving Royal Assent, which means a dog attack on an assistance [guide] dog could now lead to the owner being punished with up to three years imprisonment, as it will be classed as an aggravated offence.

The new law will come into effect from May 2014 and will cover assistance dogs that are already covered by the equality act 2010. This includes guide dogs, hearing dogs, epilepsy dogs, dogs which help people with physical disabilities that affect mobility, coordination and dexterity and specific dogs trained to help other disabled people.

The new law covers all dogs that have been trained to provide assistance. The law does not state that the dogs have to be providing assistance at the time they are attacked. For example, a dog could be free running at the time of an attack.

The law does apply to assistance dogs that are retired but does not cover guide dog puppies as they will not have been trained to provide assistance. It is currently unclear if the law covers dogs in training.

Frank Salt, an official spokesman for the Guide Dogs association, said: “I think it is long overdue. I just hope the community police and the police in Rochdale act on the law and take is seriously.”

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association recently estimated that on average, 10 guide dogs were attacked every month The charity have been
campaigning on the issues for several years and it is now hoped that this law will reduce the number of attacks.

Frank added: “My dog Lewis was attacked about two years ago now and that is something that still affects me today. He had to have seven stitches in his front leg. It is horrendous when you can’t see the dogs and you can just hear them. The noise is horrific. I think Lewis got over it after his stitches had healed and he was seen by the guide dogs association but it definitely still affects me.”

The association will continue to monitor the number of the attacks once the law comes into force.