Dogsey

Police are speaking to witnesses and examining CCTV footage after a guide dog was attacked by another dog on Tuesday afternoon. Nineteen-month-old Grace, who was three weeks away from finishing her training, was attacked while guiding her trainer, Philippa Davidson, through The Parade in Swindon Town Centre and there are now concerns over whether she will be able to work as a guide dog in the future.

Describing the incident, Philippa explained that a group of youngsters were outside 'Greggs' with an on lead dog.

She said: “I thought ‘good’ but you are always aware.

“Grace was just doing her job going around them and as she got level this dog shot out from between their legs and grabbed Grace’s face.

“Grace was screaming and trying to pull back.

“The dog just hung on and it was causing Grace more and more stress.

“I was doing what I could. I made a fist and was hitting the other dog on the head. I used my feet as well.

“You’re told never to put your fingers near their mouths.

“The young woman had it on a lead. At one point when I was using my feet she said ‘stop kicking my dog’. She wasn’t doing anything other than holding the lead.”

Philippa had let go of the harness to tackle the dog and Grace ran off when the dog released its grip. Philippa said she left the scene to chase Grace, who was caught by passers-by, and when she returned, the other dog owner had gone.

Grace had puncture wounds and grazes on her neck but is recovering after being treated with antibiotics and painkillers. Philippa hopes Grace will still be able to be a guide dog, but said: “She might associate the harness with what happened on Tuesday so I just don't know.

“Some dogs it would affect to the point where the dog couldn't be a guide dog any more. Other dogs it would have an effect but not to the point where there is a problem.”

The other dog owner is described as female, blonde with her hair tied up and wearing all white. The dog is described as a Staffordshire bull terrier type, with a white head a a dark coloured body.

The incident follows another attack in the West Swindon area two weeks ago where a newspaper reported that a man's guide dog, Lexie, was attacked by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier near the Link Centre. Philippa said it must have been horrendous because a blind owner would not have been able to do anything.

Mobility team manager for Guide Dogs Tim Stafford said there are seven dog attacks in the UK every month and with lots of people waiting for dogs, the effects are serious.

Any information can be passed to Wiltshire Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.