By Kirsten Eversen
Attacks and interference against guide dogs by aggressive dogs can inflict physical, emotional, and financial harm to the guide dog and its handler, inhibiting the guide dog team’s ability to work safely and effectively. Dusty’s Law, if passed, will offer greater protection against dogs that kill, injure, or interfere with a guide dog.
My family and I are “puppy raisers” for The Seeing Eye Inc. A puppy raiser is someone who fosters a specially bred dog for about a year, raising it in a loving home environment, teaching it basic obedience, and exposing it to a variety of real life experiences before it is returned to The Seeing Eye for advanced guide dog training.
We have raised four Seeing Eye dogs, all of which successfully made it through the program. Our third dog, Skittles, a female German Shepherd, was placed with a middle-aged woman with a big yard and an active lifestyle. I was sad to see Skittles go, but felt assured that she would live a fulfilling and happy life.
Two years later, Skittles was attacked by a dog while walking in harness. She became traumatized and was forced to give up her career as a guide dog. Her owner was unable to keep Skittles, so she came back to my family as a pet. Skittles settled back into our home but despite her readjustment, Skittles was originally destined to be a guide dog and the fact that something so sudden and preventable destroyed her call in life breaks my heart.
Too many guide dog teams throughout the country have had similar experiences. In a 2011 survey conducted by The Seeing Eye, 44 percent of respondents reported experiencing at least one attack and 83 percent of respondents experienced interference by an aggressive dog. Most of these negative encounters took place within walking distance of the guide dog team’s home.
Experiencing an attack can be traumatizing for any pet and its owner, but the effects are worse to a handler who relies on his or her dog for daily travel.
“Unlike pets, guide dogs provide an essential service to people who are blind,” says Ginger Kutsch, advocacy specialist for The Seeing Eye. “When a guide dog is suddenly unable to perform these duties because of attacks or interference, the immediate safety of both guide dog and handler can be severely compromised.”
Emotional distress caused by the ordeal can lead the blind individual to fear future attacks, resulting in the lack of confidence necessary to travel independently. In addition, the dog or person could suffer physical wounds requiring costly medical and or veterinarian attention.
Furthermore, the time and money that was invested in the breeding, raising, training and matching of the Seeing Eye dog can be lost within seconds. On average, $60,000 will be spent by the time the guide dog is matched, a goal only about 60 percent of potential guide dogs reach.
State laws protecting the rights of guide dogs and handlers vary, but few provide real protection, compensation, and lawful response. These attacks often receive limited response because animal control officers cannot assist immediately and do not work on nights or weekends. If passed, Dusty’s Law would offer round-the-clock police protection for New Jersey’s guide dog teams who need immediate assistance.
Unanimously approved by the state Senate in December, Dusty’s Law is scheduled for consideration this fall by the Assembly Law and Public Safety committee. The bill would hold reckless dog owners accountable for their pet’s actions by enforcing fines and in extreme cases, a jail sentence. The Seeing Eye has been reaching out to legislators to sign on as co-sponsors.
The proposal and inspiration for Dusty’s Law comes from the 2010 attack on a then-9-month-old Seeing Eye puppy in training, Dusty. While training with puppy raiser Roger Woodhour, Dusty was charged by an aggressive dog.
Woodhour tried to help defend Dusty and in the process, lost the tip of his finger and sustained permanent nerve damage to his hand. Dusty eventually recovered from his many physical injuries, but was pulled out of the Seeing Eye, Inc. due to the emotional effects of the attack.
As Dusty’s Law (A4105) waits to be heard in the Assembly, the public can help prevent future attacks and interference on guide dogs.
“The first step is to realize that any dog, even a family pet, can pose a threat if the dog is not kept under good control at all times,” Kutsch explains.
Obeying the state’s leash law and following town ordinances is important for the safety of both pets and guide dogs. Morristown codes forbid the tying of dogs to parking meters or other objects and mandate a maximum leash length of six feet long, ensuring dogs should be supervised at all times.
In addition, if you witness an attack or interference, offer assistance to the handler and call proper authorities. Take responsibility for your own dog, report loose dogs to the authority, and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
By taking these steps, you can help prevent future stories like Skitttles’. Although Skittles can no longer guide a person who is blind, maybe she was destined to lead this bill into law.
Kirsten Eversen is a senior at Mendham High School. She and her family have raised puppies for The Seeing Eye Inc. of Morris Township.
I worked in morristown for years and saw these dogs as they were being trained trust me an attack by another dog is mild compared to the treatment they get from the person training them and I along with others called anyone and everyone we could to have it stopped we were told beatings had to be done
I own Dusty, who is now named Pouncey, and he is afraid of other dogs, however is the most wonderful, caring, cute dog. He is traumatized, but now he is in a happy home, and has a wonderful life.
It’s time that ALL states pass such a law. These service animals need protection to do what they are bred and trained to do. So much work and time goes into training these dogs, What a sin that something like what happened to Skittles had to happen and possibly happen to another dog. Dog owners need to be held accountable. God Bless all involved in the breeding, training and care of service dogs.
Bravo! Time has come to protect service dogs and I would add all family pets. Animal abuse and out of control dogs need to have much more serious penalties.
Great article, Kirsten–and an important one too. Dog owners must be held accountable for their animals. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen off-leash dogs. The owners of these dogs are both arrogant and ignorant–compromising the safety of our leashed dogs. You are to be commended in getting the word out on this important issue. Fantastic work.
Thank you for bringing this prospective law to the public’s attention. Aware of the energy that goes into raising and training a Seeing Eye, and then witnessing the gift provided in return, passing Dusty’s Law seems an absolute must!
Thank you for writing this article basd on a real life experience. With the help of people like you we will hopefully see A4105/Dusty’s Law heard in Committee early this Fall and passed on to the full Assembly for a vote. I was Dusty’s puppy raiser and saw first hand the devastating emotional and physical effect such attacks have on these wonderful dogs and their handlers. Your help in bringing this continuing problem to the forefront may be the catalyst needed to have action taken.