Guide dog 'stabbed' while being walked by blind owner in park

crawleynews.co.uk

POLICE are investigating after a guide dog suffered what is believed to be a stab wound, while being walked by her blind owner.

Sophie Aston's black Labrador Mia required lifesaving surgery after suffering a five-inch wound to its neck.

The injury appears consistent with her companion being stabbed with a knife, with the vet that operated on Mia saying that significant force must have been used to cause such a deep injury.

Sussex Police have confirmed this week they are investigating the incident, which happened in Goffs Park last month.

Sophie, who works at Crawley Hospital, wants to warn other dog owners to be vigilant, and is desperate for Mia's attacker to be caught before they strike again.

She was out on her lunch break with her support worker and Mia when the incident occurred on December 4.

Mia was running around the park happily when Sophie, who lives in Southgate, heard a loud yelp and the dog returned to her owner with a massive gash to the back of her neck.

She said: "I was just so shocked, we were just minding our own business and we heard this awful shriek from Mia, and when she came back she had this huge wound on her back.

"My initial thought was to take her to the vet, but also how this had happened."

Mia was taken to David Clare's veterinary practice in Three Bridges, where Mr Clare operated.

He said: "We do get a lot of injuries with cuts, but this was definitely one of the bad ones.

"The cut was about four or five inches deep, and required a lot of work – including three layers of stitching.

"I wouldn't want to speculate, but there must have been some force used to sustain an injury like that."

Fortunately, Mia survived the attack and, having recovered well, is now back at her owner's side.

Sophie cannot understand how somebody could even think of harming an animal – let alone a guide dog.

"I have this bond with Mia, and have such a strong feeling towards her as my companion," she said.

"I was so devastated after the ordeal, I could have lost her.