A local resident is on a mission to inform the community about guide dogs and the importance of keeping your dogs on a leash and not approaching the dog. Gretchen Brown lives in Washington and is blind, but she gets around freely on a daily basis with the help of her guide dog Beacon. Brown says other dogs approaching Beacon are distracting to her dog, which can put her life in danger.
Brown went on to tell us to please not approach the dog. They are specially trained, and a distraction from them can lead to danger for her and even re-training for her dog.
At Monday’s Washington City Council meeting, members heard that loose dogs are creating a dangerous situation for a local resident. Gretchen Brown is blind and has a guide dog. Brown told the City Council that she and her guide dog have been attacked by loose running dogs on several occasions when she was walking in the city. Brown said that her guide dog has been injured in a couple of those attacks, which has caused her to lose time at work. Brown aided the Council in adding tougher consequences to Washington’s leash law. But Brown said the biggest problem is that, being blind, she cannot identify the attacking animal for police, and local residents who witness the attack or see dogs running loose don’t want to get involved. Not only is Brown asking for the city to tighten up its leash laws, but she is also asking for local residents to report dogs running loose so the city will be a safe walking area for residents with disabilities.
