Unsung heroes: Spare a thought for guide dogs
Print Edition
Beijing resident Xu Jian and his guide dog Daimeng were refused entry on public transport at least four times in the past month.
“From taking a bus, taxis or booking taxi-hailing services, the drivers refused to allow the guide dog to get in,” said the sight-impaired man living in Fengtai District, Beijing.
Today marks White Cane Safety Day, an international event designated by the World Blind Union to help the public better understand blindness and visual handicap.
China has over 17 million blind and visually-impaired people. Most are restricted to home due to the inconvenience of going out.
Xu feels frustrated that people often treat his guide dog as a pet, patting or feeding him.
“They don’t understand the dog is working,” Xu said.
“The disturbance can disrupt its work, which may cause the blind to fall or lose direction.”
In May, blind Chinese singer Zhou Yunpeng post on his Weibo, saying that his guide dog was denied when he checked into a hotel.
“Guide dogs work very hard. They deserve public respect. Those who refuse guide dogs actually deny entry for blind people,” he said.
Chinese regulations require that starred hotels have space to keep guide dogs. But in public places, some question the safety of guide dogs and require the dogs to wear muzzles.
Wei Xuchuan, president of the Association of the Blind in southwest China’s Chongqing City, said when guide dogs are working they need open mouths to be able to pant to get rid of heat.
“It is nothing to worry about with guide dogs barking or even hurting people. The selection of guide dogs is as strict as selecting astronauts,” said Han Fang with the China Guide Dog Training Center.
She said guide dog training centers select Labrador and Golden Retrievers, known for being docile and friendly. Worldwide, there has not been a single case of guide dogs hurting people.
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