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Blind Man Says Animal Rights Activists Have Targeted Him Because Of His Guide Dog

Blind Man Says Animal Rights Activists Have Targeted Him Because Of His Guide Dog

Jonathan Attenborough says he's been confronted more than once

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A blind man has been left shaken up and dreading further altercations because he says animal rights activists have targeted him while he was out and about with his guide dog.

Jonathan Attenborough, from Newburgh in Scotland, was out walking his beloved Labrador Sam when he claims a woman came up to him and told him off, saying that his dog should be out running free rather than helping him go about his daily business.

This is the most serious incident that he has had to endure, but it certainly isn't an isolated one. In fact, Jonathan claims that he has been the subject of ire from animal rights advocates before.

Twitter/Jon Attenborough

Speaking to MailOnline, Jonathan said: "The first time it happened to me was in April this year.

"I was in a café in Edinburgh with Sam and a man approached me to tell me I shouldn't have a guide dog. He said dogs should be running free in the fields, not sitting in cafes. I thought he was joking at first.

"He wasn't particularly hostile, just looking to have a conversation, and after I explained what kind of life Sam has, he wasn't 100 percent convinced but he did seem much more open to the idea."

However, the second time it happened, it was much worse. This meeting left Jonathan worried about future confrontations.

Twitter/Jon Attenborough

This time a woman confronted him, who was very 'in your face' and left him feeling 'very uncomfortable'.

Jonathan said that he tried to talk the woman down into a normal conversation, but couldn't do it before her husband led her off.

After being left 'taken aback' by the woman's argumentative nature, he said that he retains memories of the incident in the back of his mind while he's out walking Sam.

Despite this, the Fife resident has no choice but to keep on going about his business, and letting Sam guide him while he does that.

The situation is on his radar, though, that's for sure.

Twitter/Jon Attenborough

Tim Stafford, a spokesperson for the charity Guide Dogs, said: "We are always extremely sorry to hear when a guide dog owner encounters hostility, and we will offer support in every way we can.

"Fortunately these instances are very rare. The welfare of our dogs is absolutely paramount and they are bred and trained with great care."

Yeah, if you're an animal rights campaigner, there are probably any number of practises you could kick off with before objecting to animals that are helping the blind.

Just a thought.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Jon Attenborough

Topics: UK News, Weird, Animals