It has been estimated that one-third of all guide dog teams experience at least one encounter with an aggressive dog, and repeated encounters with the same dog happens all too frequently. Confrontations between a loose or uncontrolled dog and a guide dog team can present an immediate threat to the health and safety of the team and often have devastating long-term effects on a guide dog's ability to perform its tasks, on the guide dog handler's confidence in traveling independently, or on both members of the team.

STATE LAWS PROTECTING GUIDE DOG TEAMS including the new Arizona Protection Law.

As of August 2002 at least 19 States had laws in place that provide some degree of protection for guide dog teams against interference or attack by other animals and/or people. Unfortunately, existing guide dog protection laws are not always sufficient to protect the rights of blind individuals and their guide from all such encounters.

• "The Team, The Attack - A State Legislator's Handbook on Guide Dog Protection" is now available in booklet form for your state legislators! This comprehensive guide, compiled by the Legislative Committee of Guide Dog Users Inc., clearly identifies and explains the critical issues that guide dog teams face when confronted by a loose or inadequately controlled dog and presents recommendations for how effective guide dog protection laws can be structured. Call 1-888-858-1008 and get your free booklet today!

• Preventing A Dog Attack - Ideas on how to minimize the chances of an attack, what to do if attacked, reporting procedures, and public education.

• Responsible Dog Owners - A fact sheet intended to help the general public understand how important guide dogs are to people who are blind or visually impaired and stresses the importance of responsible pet ownership. Reproduction and distribution of this material is encouraged.

• Dr. P's Assistance Dogs - Contains an extensive list of resources, articles, email lists, etc. regarding assistance dogs as well as information about responsible dog ownership, dog training and/or animal psychology.

• Understanding aggressive behavior in dogs - Information on the different types of canine aggression including growling, baring teeth, snarling, snapping and biting.

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