A blind woman from Norwich has been left too scared to go into the city centre alone, after her guide dog was attacked.
Bernie Reddington, from Sprowston, was left so shaken by other dogs barking, growling and even attacking her guide dog Ashley, she took the matter to a disability forum.
The issue was then picked up by the city's police, who agreed to go on a walkabout in Norwich with Mrs Reddington yesterday to experience the problems she faces and talk to those not controlling their dogs.
'I will actively avoid some areas of the city because I know there is going to be trouble with dogs there,' said Mrs Reddington.
'I feel my enjoyment of my own city is being compromised. If Ashley is hurt or put off working, that means the end of my independence.'
Just before Christmas, Mrs Reddington was walking through the city centre when a dog jumped on Ashley.
She let go of his handle, as she had been taught in training and there was a scrap between the animals.
'The guy who owned the other dog managed to catch him and stuff him in a trolley but I couldn't carry on with what I was doing,' said Mrs Reddington.
'It's the most horrible experience when you can't see what is actually happening. You can't get into a safe place, you can't take the dog somewhere safe, but you need the dog to get you to safety.'
She has only once complained to a dog owner whose pet had been aggressive, and that led to a torrent of abuse, so the aim of yesterday's walkabout was to get the message across that dogs need to be controlled.
Chief Inspector Nathan Clark and PC Matt Wakefield from Bethel Street Police Station accompanied Mrs Reddington and Ashley through the city centre.
They met three dog owners Mrs Reddington encounters regularly along the way - two selling copies of the Big Issue and one begging.
Chief Insp Clark made it clear dogs needed to be kept on leads at all times, while Mrs Reddington explained the effect dogs barking and distracting Ashley had on her and other blind people's day-to-day life.
'I am pleased we were able to talk to the chaps themselves,' she said.
'Having a good relationship with them can only strengthen how safe and secure we feel in the city.'
Helen Sismore, Community Engagement Officer in East Anglia for Guide Dogs for the Blind, said the problem was on the increase.
'Dog attacks that have been reported through us have increased from eight to ten a month,' she said.
'We are currently waiting for an Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Intervention Bill to get Royal Assent. This would mean dog on dog attacks could potentially lead to the same prison sentence as a dog on person crime.'
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