Police work with guide dog charity

The force has worked closely with the charity in order to ensure that the correct processes are in place and a consistent approach is undertaken across the county.

The service level agreement follows a legislation introduced in May 2014 which offers greater protection to assistance dogs and their owners.

The legislation states that it is an offence to be in charge of a dog that attacks an assistance dog, which is defined as any dog specially trained to assist a blind, deaf or disabled person.

An attack on a guide dog has implications for both the dog itself and the owner. Time without a guide dog due to injuries sustained limits the freedom of its owner who relies on working in partnership with their dog to live their life.