RESPONSIBLE PET
OWNERSHIP AND GUIDE DOGS
This flyer is intended to help you understand how important guide dogs are to people who are blind or visually impaired and to stress the importance of responsible pet ownership. Please help us keep these valuable service animals from becoming injured or disabled.
WORKING GUIDES:
Guide dogs have been used to enhance mobility for more than eighty
years in
Most guide dogs are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, or German Shepherds, although other breeds are used as well. These dogs are well-suited to their work as guides and are bred for their excellent temperament, intelligence and health. Guide dogs are allowed by law to have access to all public places including: restaurants, businesses, stores, hotels, busses, taxis, trains and airplanes.
DOG ATTACKS:
According to the American Veterinary and Medical Association and
insurance company
statistics there are over one million dog bite reports filed annually. This is
a serious matter for the general public and is even more so for blind or
visually impaired
persons who choose to use guide dogs as their primary means of mobility. Loose dogs can be a significant threat to
guide dog teams.
LIABILITY:
A guide dog that is attacked or intimidated by an aggressive or unruly
pet dog may
become damaged for life and unable to work as a guide. An attack can take a huge emotional toll on the
guide dog user. In many states, laws are being introduced which protect guide dog
handlers and their dogs from attack and harassment by errant dogs and people. The
irresponsible dog owner can be held financially liable for the actions of their
unsupervised pets, and may be accountable for the replacement costs of $50,000
or more for the guide dog. Under certain circumstances the pet owner can also be
incarcerated for up to six months.
TIPS ON RESPONSIBLE
DOG OWNERSHIP
•
Please do not allow your pet
dog to roam freely in your neighborhood or to be unsupervised in an unfenced yard. Educate your
family about how to prevent your pet from escaping from your yard and roaming in your neighborhood. Self-closing gates can be the answer to keeping your dog at home.
•
If you have your dog on leash,
make sure that he is under control. Do not allow your dog to be walked by a person who is not
strong enough to control or restrain him.
•
Learn about canine behavior and
take obedience classes with your pet dog. Be sure your dog is well socialized around other
animals and people.
•
Be aware of your own dog's
temperament and potential for biting. Even an overly friendly pet that jumps on people or other
dogs can cause serious problems. Dogs are often territorial in their own
yards, and sometimes even beyond the boundaries of their own home.
Irresponsibility or apathy in this regard may cost you dearly!
•
When choosing a pet dog,
research the breed before you bring the dog home. Some breeds
require more exercise, attention, control, and leadership than others. Although
any dog or breed of dog can become aggressive, there are certain breeds that
are more prone to problematic behavior than others.
•
Be aware of your city and
county leash laws and obey them.
•
Take pride in being a
responsible, intelligent, and capable pet owner.
If you witness an attack on a guide dog team,
please call animal control and the police to report
it. Include as many details as possible. Even though the guide dog user may be blind, they are perfectly capable of noting identifying
information and reporting an attack.
Animal Control:______________________Police:_____________________________
Penal codes:___________________________________________________
Civil codes:____________________________________________________
Leash laws:____________________________________________________
Guide Dogs
FOR THE BLIND
