My name is Tammie and I am a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down. On the way home from cruising around the wharf and the boardwalk my Canine Companions for Independence service dog Robby ll was attacked by an off leash dog.
I understand it is a misdemeanor to attack a service dog? The leash was ripped off of my arm and I have bruises and burns and probably a sprained wrist.
The dogs rolled into the street and were almost hit by a Metro bus. I'm going to try to find out who was driving that bus and see if he or she will be a witness but I don't know what can be done.
This is probably the 4th or 5th time that Robby has been attacked by an off leash dog and I don't know what to do. I'm afraid that it's going to keep me from wanting to leave my house and go out cruising around, not to mention I really fear for Robby.
Do you have any suggestions of what I can do? I'm going to file a police report tomorrow although by the time we went back to the spot the guys were gone.
There has to be a way to prevent this in the future. I actually did go down to the police department and they told me that there was nothing they can do unless I was bit by the dog, they told me to contact animal control.
Last time my dog was attacked I did contact animal control, after the cops told me there was nothing they could do, and never heard from them. I contacted them once again but I’m not getting any reply and I don’t know what else to do.
Could you please do a story that would help the general public be more aware of the laws of having their dogs on leash in public spaces, and to have a better awareness of people with special needs and their helpful canines.
I am in the hopes of our public agencies stepping up to the plate to help in future situations, and to give some clarity to who is responsible for upholding and enforcing the laws around dogs in public, and the way they behave.
It would be nice if someone from the Vista Center for the blind could be contacted for comment, as well as someone from Canine Companions. My goal in this is to raise public awareness, and for people with special needs and abilities to feel safe going out in public with their assistant dogs.
