A local guide dog owner is coming to terms with the fact her current companion, who she relies on to keep her safe, has been attacked only two years after her previous dog had to be retired following a similar incident.

Fortunately for Kay Kitto, the attack on guide dog Jackie, a three-year-old Labrador/retriever cross, was not as severe and although she is still recovering from her encounter, she is able to continue with her vital work guiding Kay whenever she leaves her house.

The attack happened earlier this month when Kay, who has very limited sight and is a regular visitor with Jackie to primary schools, was on her way to a school in Falmouth. Jackie had been wearing her guide dog harness when a small, sandy coloured dog which was running loose, attacked her.

As guide dogs are chosen for their lack of aggression, Jackie did not retaliate and was left very distressed by the attack. Fortunately, she suffered no physical injuries but Kay was left concerned that the attack may have affected Jackie's confidence when encountering other dogs.

The recent attack was all the more distressing for Kay as her previous guide dog, Fergus, had to be retired after he had been mauled by a pit bull in May 2013. On that occasion, the attacking dog went for Fergus's neck and then his hind-quarters, leaving him nursing puncture wounds and needing veterinary treatment.

The attack on Jackie brought back traumatic memories for Kay and is appealing for dog owners to take proper care of their pets. "I did not see the other dog coming and did not know how to help Jackie," she said. "I would like all dog owners to become aware of the consequences of failing to keep their dogs under control. When they are in a public place their dogs should be on a lead and when a dog owner sees a guide dog approaching they should keep their dog close to them.

"If a guide dog suffers physical or psychological injuries it might need to be retired. I am relieved that Jackie is making a good recovery. I would be devastated if I did not have Jackie to guide me."

Guide Dogs, the national charity responsible for providing and training dogs for people who are visually impaired is campaigning to make all dog owners aware of the damage that an aggressive dog can cause and Kay is supporting this campaign locally. The law has recently been changed and the owner of a dog that injures a guide dog can face prosecution and risk a substantial fine or even imprisonment.

Debbie Miller from Guide Dogs said: “It is a tragedy when a guide dog has to be retired following an attack. Each of our dogs provides a person who is blind or partially sighted with their independence. It takes up to two years to train a guide dog so if a dog has to be withdrawn this represents a considerable waste of our resources which are provided entirely by the generosity of our supporters. My hope is that all dog owners will become more considerate as a result of our campaigning.”