Monday, February 2, 2015

Injured guide dog traumatised, says owner

My Paper, Monday, February 02, 2015, Page A2, Top Stories
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/emnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2015-02-02
Source Website: http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/injured-guide-dog-traumatised-says-owner-20150202
By Tanjeetpal Singh, tanjeets@sph.com.sg, mypaper, myp@sph.com.sg, Published on Feb 02, 2015


DOG IN DISTRESS
PHOTO: DOG IN DISTRESS: On Tuesday, a man threw a tool bag at Nice and its owner, Ms Lim. The guide dog is now fearful of strangers.
PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui8lqb0X4AagH5rzFXRCDLw3Tegi25He5Xe_kMTkcgXCJcZTqUHsSyavymXPr9mtasZEHfLQl3oa18f15fo9pzEeN3gMJPFfusWjy3nirUdmJPEnyEtCIezai24WVnvL6eLPZGIyHI_Q/s1600/Ms+Lim+Lee+Lee+and+her+traumatised+guide+dog.jpg
My Paper, Monday, February 02, 2015, Page A2, Top Stories


AN INCIDENT involving a man throwing a bag of tools at Lim Lee Lee, who is visually impaired, and her guide dog has left it fearful of strangers.

The incident, which My Paper reported on Friday, occurred near a work site in Kovan on Tuesday.

The 47-year-old told My Paper yesterday that her guide dog, Nice, is recovering, but is still not well enough to return to work.

"She tends to put too much weight on her good paws. She is still traumatised and is unable to face...strangers," said Ms Lim.

"When I take her down for walks now and if a stranger approaches, she tends to walk away as fast as she can."

Choking back tears, Ms Lim added that she is extremely concerned about the emotional well-being of her dog and would try to seek professional help for it. She is unsure of how much the treatment would cost.

Ms Lim, who works as a freelance writer and motivational speaker, was being led home around 6.50pm last week by Nice, accompanied by a friend, when a man threw a bag at them.

There was a hammer and other heavy items in the bag, which hit the dog's hip. It suffered abrasions, tissue damage and is now limping.

The My Paper report has since garnered about 730 likes, 560 shares and 225 comments on The Straits Times Facebook page.

The incident drew many angry comments from Facebook users. Many netizens such as Violet Lim-Leong believe that justice should be served.

"The man who injured the dog must be found and justice must prevail. You can't just hurt an animal and get away with it," she commented.

Another Facebook user, Ridzuan Osman, wrote: "Hopefully, the culprit is arrested soon and charged...Such inhumane acts cannot go unpunished."

My Paper understands that there was a passer-by who filmed the incident, but has since been uncontactable.

Other Facebook users like Pamela Coughlan offered Ms Lim and the canine well wishes and "hopes that Nice will recover soon".

My Paper readers have also reached out to offer the pair their assistance.

Nice, the fourth professional guide dog here, was given to Ms Lim by Japanese non-profit organisation EyeMate in October 2013.

By Tanjeetpal Singh, tanjeets@sph.com.sg, mypaper, myp@sph.com.sg, Published on Feb 02, 2015



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