A BLIND man has told how he was left virtually housebound for 20 months after losing a guide dog in a vicious dog attack.

Patrick Smyth’s dog, Nathan, had to be retired after losing all his confidence in an unprovoked attack in Parkstone, Poole, in which he was bitten on his neck, front legs and back.

Mr Smyth, 44, from Wimborne, is completely blind and could not go out alone in the 20-month wait for Nathan’s replacement Autumn, a golden Labrador retriever. Autumn has also been attacked and dragged into oncoming traffic by another dog in Poole’s Ashley Road, and mauled in Wimborne town centre.

The case has been highlighted by the charity Guide Dogs as an example of the rising tide of attacks on guide dogs by other dogs.

The most recent attack on Autumn happened near M&Co, Wimborne, last December, when another dog “went ballistic”, Mr Smyth said.

“Guide Dogs’ advice is not to go near the place you’ve had an attack,” he added. “But I live in Wimborne. I cannot avoid the heart of that area. People’s dogs shouldn’t attack me.”

He has also been disappointed at police treatment of dog-on-dog attacks.

Mr Smyth, of Allenview Road, said: “I’ve even encountered the attitude of ‘You can get another one off the shelf’.

“But it takes a year to build up that first working partnership, an average guide dog costs around £50,000 in its lifetime and I cannot go out without one.”

Autumn was first attacked near The Parkstone pub, on Ashley Road, in 2004.

“The dog’s ferocity was shocking,” Mr Smyth said.

“He took Autumn straight into the traffic and snatched the chain out of my hand. She was traumatised and it took a while before she was up to full working. I’d only had her six weeks. Our working relationship was very tender and she was shaken up.”

Similar incidents took place in the New Forest and Redcotts recreation field, Wimborne.

Nathan still lives with Mr Smyth and wife Sarah, 37.

EIGHT INCIDENTS A MONTH

NATIONALLY more than eight guide dogs are attacked every month, Guide Dogs say.

Tim Stafford, mobility team manager for Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight, says 2012 has been one of the worst years.

So far there have been three attacks in the area and one dog has retired. Last year the charity investigated 10 attacks.

“It is as bad as the person themselves being attacked and should be treated as seriously,” Mr Stafford said.