A growing problem of attacks on guide dogs by other dogs

From The AP:

PORTLAND, Ore. - Trainers with Guide Dogs for the Blind say they’re worried after recent attacks by street dogs on guide dogs in training. There have been two attacks just this month in Portland.

Trainers with the nonprofit dog-training group say they’ve run across a number of snapping, growling dogs owned by homeless youths since the agency opened a new satellite office in downtown Portland.

Last September, training supervisor Jim Dugan says he sent a letter to Mayor Sam Adams and city commissioners, asking for help to resolve the problem. He says he got no response.

Adams spokesman Roy Kaufmann says his office has no record of receiving the letter but is concerned. Officials have agreed to set up a meeting with the trainers, law enforcement, animal control and downtown business leaders.

In the most recent attack, apprentice trainer Crystal Lange says she put her body between her black Lab, Ellery, and the attacking dog until the owner retrieved it. Ellery was checked by a vet and appears fine. But Lange says the encounter was frightening.