Guide dog owner Jemma Brown from Southamption, whose dog Gus had to be retired after being attacked several times, has welcomed the agreement.

Agreement between Guide Dogs for the Blind and police will see tailored support if dogs are attacked

New guidelines agreed between Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers will mean guide dog owners whose animals are attacked will get support that is specifically tailored to their needs.

The new Service Level Agreement (SLA) recognises the impact that an attack on an assistance dog has on their owner's life and will ensure that incidents are treated more seriously than a dog-on-dog attack.  

On average, 10 guide dogs are attacked by other dogs every month in the UK often with devastating consequences for the animal and its owner. If their guide dog cannot work, the owner is left unable to get around on their own, robbing them of their independence.

Under the agreement, when a guide dog owner reports an attack, Constabularies in England and Wales have committed to taking steps such as assigning a named officer to the case and recording the victim as vulnerable, so investigations are tailored around their needs. The full impact of the attack on the guide dog will also be taken into account.  

Guide dog owner Jemma Brown from Southamption, whose dog Gus had to be retired after being attacked several times, has welcomed the agreement.

“The attacks on Gus were horrible for both of us, but I count myself as relatively lucky as my local police force have been pretty good at helping me. It’s nice to know that guide dog owners everywhere will get the same level of attention and support from their local police force at what can be a traumatic time.”

Chief executive of Guide Dogs, Richard Leaman, said: “We’re grateful to North Wales and Northamptonshire police forces for listening to us and working with us to put this Service Level Agreement in place, and we’re delighted that every force in England and Wales are keen to adopt it.
 
“When a guide or assistance dog is attacked, the consequences for its owner are devastating. Our guide dog owners rely on their guide dogs to get around and if a dog can’t work, their owner can be left housebound. But once the physical wounds have healed, a dog attack can also have a dramatic effect on both a guide dog and its owner’s confidence.”

The SLA follows the creation of a new offence under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 of allowing a dog to attack an assistance dog. This offence attracts a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison. 

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