Horrified owner listens as guide dog mauled | Ipswich News | Local News in Ipswich

A LAIDLEY resident was forced to listen in horror, helplessly, while her seeing eye dog was attacked in broad daylight.

Esther Watson went for a stroll down the main street of Laidley when she heard dogs in the distance growling.

She said she could never imagine what was going to happen next.

Her companion of two-and-a-half years, Ultimate, a $30,000 seeing eye dog was attacked by two German Shepherds.

Her only saviours were two men who rushed to her aid and separated the dogs.

“It was just horrible, absolutely horrible,” Mrs Watson said.

“I was just scared, scared for myself and scared for my dog.”

Mrs Watson said the attack had left her worried about returning on her own to the town centre.

“They (seeing eye dogs) work on trust and it breaks their trust every time something like this happens,” she said. “It can stop them from working. I’m just lucky that hasn’t happened.”

But this isn’t the first time Ultimate has been attacked. Shortly after Mrs Watson received the labrador, he was lunged at by a doberman who left teeth marks in his harness.

This incident also happened in Laidley’s main street.

Mrs Watson, who was blinded by Retinitis Pigmentosa and Glaucoma about five years ago, relies on Ultimate for her independence.

“He is my eyes, my independence and he allows me to function the same as everyone else,” she said.

Mrs Watson said she wanted to encourage dog owners about seeing eye dog etiquette to prevent herself and other people in her situation from the trauma involved in a dog attack.

“Of course people have a right to have their dogs and walk them down the street and to have them on leads but I’m asking them to be responsible,” she said.

“The majority of people are supportive and do the right thing but it’s the odd few who don’t that put us at risk.

“When a seeing eye dog’s attention is broken, straight away we are put in danger.”

Mrs Watson said every time a seeing eye dog was attacked, if they recover, it takes about six months of re-training to build their confidence back up.