Service Assistant Guide Dogs Attacked

Several service/assistant/guide dogs are being attacked by loose dogs, mostly pit bull type, gripping, fighting breed dogs, and this NEEDS TO STOP!!!  Its bad enough that people own these types of dogs at all, but the fact they seem to be the most irresponsible dog owners out there, always letting their grippers run loose, is reeking havoc on most cities nowadays.

I have previously blogged about this on another page, here in this blog, but it seems this topic needs more and constant attention.  There are service dogs out there that are having to be retired early, and even killed by loose, and aggressive dogs, leaving their handlers devastated, and taking away their handlers independence and freedom. This is just NOT okay.

Yes, as far as the law states now, in many cities, people are able to own their dog of choice (not everywhere though) and if people want to own a vicious breed of dog, that was originally bred for the purpose of fighting and killing, then so be it; but these types of dogs must NOT be allowed to roam the streets injuring people and their dogs.  Mind you, NO dog should be able to roam the streets, loose, becoming a nuisance and even a danger to society, but these fighting breed dogs are causing serious problems, and are impinging on the rights of good citizens to feel and be safe.

The owners of these vicious types of dogs are always screaming out their rights to own these dogs. Fine, then BE RESPONSIBLE! Admit that your dog is capable of killing another dog or person in just a few minutes (sometimes seconds) and do the right thing. Keep them on the sturdiest leash you can find, muzzle it if need be, or just dont take it out in public where it can be a danger to someone.  The owners are always talking about their rights to own these dogs, and that they will fight to the death to keep them from being banned (as they are in several cities, counties and even countries) but if you ask me, theyre are precisely the ones that are causing these bans to get enacted, but they just dont realize it. They are causing it because they are over-breeding these dogs to make a buck, and treating them "just like any other dog," which is certainly NOT the case! They are being completely irresponsible and letting these dogs roam the streets, they have inadequate enclosures for them, and they always "somehow" get out and hurt someone. There are millions, yes millions, of these types of dogs filling up shelters all across the country, yet the owners are always talking about how much they LOVE their vicious dogs.  Im sorry, but if you love your dog, you make it a safe and appropriate enclosure so that it cant get loose and lost, you keep it on a sturdy leash, and you make sure its not consistently hurting people and dogs, as to give it a "bad reputation" therefore ensuring that your type of dog is not consistently in the news causing law makers to have to take action. Get it?

Disabled people and their service dogs have rights too! Everyone does. The right to own a dog, feel safe, be safe, be independent and free, freedom of speech and the like are not rights that are only reserved for those who wish to own the most vicious and dangerous type of dogs out there! Although it seems that these type of dog owners seem to think so.  Can they stop for one minute to think about the rights of others? Just once???

I wonder if they realize the blood, sweat, tears and money that goes into a disabled person acquiring and training an assistance dog? I wonder if they even care? I think its a major problem that the owners of these types of fighting breed dogs wont even admit that their dogs are serious potential danger.  They wont admit the facts about their own dog, which I dont understand. I will freely admit that the breed of dog I have is subject to chasing birds, retrieving things, and is subject to certain types of health concerns, such as hip dysplasia, but the owners of gripping type dogs refuse to accept or admit that their dogs are dangerous.  I just dont get it.  They seem to blame everyone else, especially the victims of their dogs, for their dogs behavior.  I dont understand this way of thinking; it just doesnt make sense.

My trainer often fosters these types of dogs; fighting breed dogs, such as pit bulls (and their cousins) but is willing to accept and admit the truth about them.  She accepts and will tell you that these dogs are a potential danger to people, a lot of people are afraid of them, dont like them, they are prone to violence and prone to attacking other dogs and people too.  She will tell you that these types of dogs have a different body language that is extremely difficult to read, even by other dogs, therefore leading to surprise attacks by these dogs.  She will tell you that these dogs need a special type of training, a special type of enclosure, as they are escape artists, and will tell you that these dogs are NOT for the average dog lover.  They need a special type of care.  I dont see why the owners of these dogs dont admit and accept these facts.  If they would, Im certain there would be a lot less problems with these dogs.  There wouldnt be so much news coverage on them, and there wouldnt be so many attacks and killings perpetrated by these types of dogs.  "Theyre just like any other dog," just isnt getting it done!

Thats my rant, and after all is said and done, who really cares what I say, or how I feel, but the point is that service/assistant/guide dogs, and others, continue to be attacked, mauled, and/or killed by these types of dogs.  So because the owners refuse to accept the facts, refuse to admit the truth about their gripping dogs, dont cry when the law makers have to take over, or step in to keep the public safe from your fighting breed dogs.

I cant imagine what it would be like to be blind, period; and then to be walking down the street, led by your noble guide dog (which cost you $40,000 to acquire and maintain), feeling a great sense of pride and accomplishment, independence and freedom (which took you almost 10 years to accomplish), when suddenly, some irresponsible gripping dogs owner has let their vicious dog out to come and savage your noble guide dog, ripping apart that independence and freedom you have worked so hard to acquire.  Yes, picture it!  What is a blind person to do in this situation?  Ive read that some just let go of their guide dog and offer it the opportunity to defend itself, or scream in terror for help to anyone that might be willing to jump in and save your noble friend.  Service dogs are NOT like any other dog.  They are specially trained, and difficult to acquire and maintain, not to mention expensive.  But why should the owner of a fighting breed dog care about this?

PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH AND THINK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLES RIGHTS TO BE SAFE AND FREE, AND INDEPENDENT.  PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE DISABLED AND TO TRY TO DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST THIS KIND OF ATTACK.

Great Video about Guide Dogs:

http://explore.org/#!/videos/player/guide-dogs-america

Another guide dog attacked in England....

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/guide_dog_attacked_by_another_dog_in_magdalen_street_norwich_1_1333084

http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Service-dog-attacked-Owner-needs-help-with-needed/xDKYZ4kBo06aa7qHw9_WuA.cspx

http://servicedogsawayoflife.blogspot.com/2011/06/news-service-dog-attacked-on-walk-with.html

PLEASE SEE MY PAGE (IN THIS BLOG) ON "SERVICE DOG DANGERS"

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Jade And The Firemen Train At Home

Well, if youve been keeping up with my blog, you saw that Jade went to the firehouse to do a little bit of training with the firemen there, which went very well.  Jade has had some fear issues with men in uniform, so my trainer and I took Jade to the firehouse previously to help her get used to men in uniform.  We specifically chose the firehouse, because its often the firemen and paramedics that show up at your house when you call for a medical emergency. That has been my main concern; I was afraid that if I have to call for help, as Ive had to before, Jade would have problems with the firemen/paramedics entering our home to help me.  So, we started by taking her to the firehouse and letting her get used to these men and women in uniform, all their gear, and the noises.  Jade was very apprehensive at first and a bit fearful, but before long she was playing and engaging with the firemen as if they were her best friends.  I was very happy about how that went. My trainer asked the firemen if theyd be willing to come over to the house, as that would be the real test for Jade.  Whether or not she could handle them coming through the door is most important.  We were both pleasantly surprised at how responsive and willing the firemen were to help us with this training! They agreed to come over to my house and help out.

Currently Jade is trained to assist me in many ways.  There have been times where I suddenly have severe spasm and end up on the floor, unable to move for some time. Jade can now help me, by running to find my phone.  She brings my phone to me and lies down next to me and awaits help with me.  My fear was that I would call for help and the firemen/paramedics would have some real problems entering my house to help due to Jades fearful response, and protective/defensive barking.

Yesterday, my trainer showed up around 2pm and we went over all the tasks that Jade performs to help me around the house.  The trainer was impressed to say the least! She was amazed that Jade hadnt been trained to do any of these tasks prior to our training with her organization.  She just couldnt believe how much Jade had learned in less than a year and how well she performed the tasks.  Some of them are opening/closing the sliding glass door, opening/closing the fridge, closing drawers and cabinets, retrieving my cane, phone and other items, getting the laundry in and out of the dryer, etc.

The firemen showed up at 2:30 pm just like they had told us they would!  We saw the firetruck pull up in front of my house and we were so happy they were able to make it! The night before I had baked them some cookies as a thank you, for them to take with them.

It was such a great experience! Jade barked and growled a bit at first, after all, this is her house. Once she sniffed the firemen, it was like a bell went off in her head, and she suddenly became her usual friendly self, still a bit apprehensive about the noises their hand-held radios made.  I gave Jades treats to the firemen and things just started rolling from there.  Jade started handing things to the firemen, her leash, her toys, etc. and we all laughed. We stood around talking a while at first and letting Jade get used to their presence, then we performed a real-life reenactment of what would happen should I have to call for help.

The firemen went outside to wait, and Jade and I walked to the back bedroom, with the trainer lagging behind.  I faked a fall and told Jade to run and get the phone.  She sensed the urgency in my voice and ran for the phone in the living room.  She brought the phone to me, and laid down next to me waiting.  I acted like I was making a call, and told the trainer, "Ok, let them in."  The trainer let the firemen in, and I told Jade to stay with me.  The firemen reentered my house saying, "Fire department, we got a call someone needs assistance!" Jade wanted to run to the front door and bark, but she stayed next to me with her eyes on the bedroom door.  When the firemen walked into the room, Jade stayed put.  I could hardly believe it! They talked to me, and then said, "Were going to act like were doing stuff to you to see how she reacts."  They started to touch me and move me around and Jade just sniffed their hands and looked from me to them and back again.  She was great! Then they helped me up, and Jade got up too.  She wagged her tail and sniffed their hands as they helped me up, but no growling, no barking, no fear.  I was impressed! We stood in the bedroom talking some more, and they played with Jade some more, letting her sniff their equipment, and they talked about other dogs theyve had to deal with in these circumstances.

They said most dogs will bark at them, with their hackles up, but usually back away while they bark. They did say that they have dealt with aggressive dogs, and they usually put their bags in front of them and just "go for it," hoping that one of their men can get the dog and remove it to another room or outside.

The firemen told me about getting a lock box, and gave me some instructions on how to call for an emergency. They said to make sure that when you call, state that you have a service dog, what her name is, and that you have a lock box, and give the code.  Great ideas!!! Never thought of any of this, especially the lock box.  A lock box is a metal box with a code on it, that stores your house key so the emergency services dont have to break anything to get in.  They also said that if they know your dogs name, they will use it when they come in to help the dog relax a bit.  This will help tremendously! It will also help your dog if you let it get a sniff of the firemen/paramedics in your area so that your dog isnt totally caught off guard when something happens.

Once again, with all the excitement, the trainer and I forgot to ask them about coming to the training organization to give a small talk about how they deal with your service dog when they come to your house.  Also, to help service dog handlers know exactly what to do, and how to make these calls more effective for the emergency responders. So, after the firemen left, the trainer and I sat and talked a bit and I felt SO MUCH BETTER about this issue.  I certainly feel much more confident that Jade will be okay when they come to the house to help me.  I feel more relaxed now knowing that I can call for help and not have to worry about them having to hurt Jade, or remove her in order to help me. What a relief!!

The trainer gave me a couple of her cards, which I will take to the firehouse. I will ask them about the possibility of coming to the training organization for a brief class, talk, with the service dog teams. I really believe the teams would benefit GREATLY from this kind of an experience.  I know I did!

I gave the firemen the cookies Id baked them, and YES, I was able to snap a few quick photos for you all.  Sorry for the long post and rambling on about this, but its been a most exciting and informative experience!!! Thank you for reading!

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