A BLIND woman, whose guide dog was wounded in a savage attack, has called for a change in the law to protect working dogs.

Jessica Hodgson, 47, says she is still coming to terms with the attack near her home in Haydock last December, when a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dashed out of a house and sank its teeth into her dog Olly.

She said: “The police won’t be taking it further because it was a dog on dog attack. If the dog had bitten me, they would have had to prosecute. I almost wish it had now.”

Olly, a two-year-old Labrador cross who had been qualified for just four months, was bitten on the head and body before a passer-by helped drag the snarling animal off.

Jessica said she is lucky that Olly’s temperament helped him overcome the trauma.

Her civil partner Lee Hodgson, 43, is also registered blind, and Jessica suggested if it happened to her dog, the outcome may have been different.

She said:“Her dog would have had to have been retired. Olly was a bit quiet after it happened, but he’s fine. I was just grateful we were near the vets at the time.

“A lot of dogs have to be retired when this happens – up to seven a month. If some guide dogs suffer trauma, they will go to pieces and the owner’s mobility is gone. And that could have happened to me.

“I’ve had no apology and nothing towards the vet’s bill. The police said they would be talking to the owner, but I’ve heard nothing since.

“Things need to change, and I know Guide Dogs for the Blind are lobbying the Government, so the law takes into consideration working dogs when they are attacked.”