Seeing Eye Dogs, Guide Dogs, and Assistance Dogs are not pets. Across Australia, they are essential mobility aids that allow blind and vision-impaired people to move safely, independently, and with dignity.

However, current laws across Australian States and Territories do not adequately recognise or protect Seeing Eye Dogs, Guide Dogs, or Assistance Dogs as disability aids. Legislative frameworks largely treat incidents as general "animal matters," failing to account for the real and lasting harm caused when a dog is attacked, rushed, or traumatised.

In every corner of Australia, uncontrolled dogs and irresponsible ownership continue to endanger handlers. A dog does not need to suffer visible bite wounds for its working life to end. Trauma alone is enough for a dog to be withdrawn from service.

When a dog is withdrawn due to trauma, the handler loses their independence overnight. This is not a minor inconvenience; it is the total loss of mobility, safety, and autonomy.

Currently, an attacking dog’s owner may face minor fines while the blind handler bears the life-changing cost of the loss. This outcome is deeply unjust. Blind and vision-impaired Australians should not pay the price for other people’s failure to control their animals. National and State laws must recognise that interference with a guide dog is interference with a disability aid.

What We Are Calling For

 * National Legal Recognition: Unified federal and state recognition of Seeing Eye Dogs, Guide Dogs, and Assistance Dogs as essential disability aids, not just "animals."

 * Recognition of Trauma as Harm: Clear legal acknowledgment that causing trauma to a working dog, even without physical injury, constitutes serious harm and "destruction" of a mobility aid.

 * Stronger National Penalties: Consistent, heavy penalties across all Australian states for owners whose dogs attack, rush, or interfere with working dogs.

 * Mandatory Enforcement Obligations: Clear requirements for all local Councils and authorities across Australia to investigate incidents properly and ensure fair outcomes.

 * Handler-Centric Laws: Recognition that when a dog is withdrawn from service, the harm is suffered by both the dog and the handler’s fundamental right to move freely.

Why This Matters Now

Every preventable incident risks ending a working dog’s life. Without urgent reform of State Domestic Animal Acts and Federal Disability protections, blind and vision-impaired people across Australia will continue to lose their independence.

Even if dog-to-dog incidents do not cause major physical injury, Seeing Eye Dogs who suffer an attack often can no longer work safely due to anxiety and fear. We call on the Federal Government and all State Governments to act now to protect our "eyes" and our freedom.