Plan B Forum

Animal activist causes outrage after claiming it’s ‘cruel’ to have a guide dog

Wendy Turner-Webster believes working animals such as guide dogs ‘should give their consent’ before being put to work for humans.

Appearing on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain, Wendy explained why she thinks it’s immoral for people to use animals to help them in their daily lives.

She said she was "uncomfortable with the idea that we use animals”, adding that she had particular issue with the “welfare” of guide dogs.

Wendy believes a quarter of guide dogs do not become guide dogs and end up in animal shelters or at charities, and older dogs that retire are left with nowhere to go as their owners can not look after them.

She added that technology should be used to replace guide dogs, and other working hounds like sniffer and police dogs.

Presenter Piers Morgan saw red, and immediately began unpicking her argument.

He raged: "Have you trained your dog?

"But did you get your dog's consent to sit? To obey your human orders?

"Do you ride horses? Have you ever ridden horses? Did you get your horse's consent to rise in the forest?

“You charged along on top of it without its consent?"

Wendy added that she was a responsible rider - but Piers wasn’t having it.

"You, Wendy, know better about the animal,” he said. "Because you're a saintly figure, when it comes to your animal ownership, we should all relax?"

People at home were flabbergasted by the debate, with many guide dog users taking to Twitter to defend their precious pooches.

One wrote: “Such nonsense about it being unethical. Anyone who knows dogs understands they won't do what they don't want to do. No one punishes a guide dog for not wanting to work.”

Joe Guy wrote:

Wendy believes a quarter of guide dogs do not become guide dogs and end up in animal shelters or at charities, and older dogs that retire are left with nowhere to go as their owners can not look after them.

When a Seeing Eye puppy or dog is unable to complete guide dog training, we call them “career change” dogs because they often go on to other types of careers including law enforcement, search and rescue, and just as important: loving pet!

We always offer career change dogs for adoption to the volunteer who raised it as a puppy. If the puppy raiser does not adopt the dog, it becomes available to other homes. If the dog has potential to work in law enforcement or some other kind of service, those organizations are given priority in selecting dogs. Dogs not selected for service work will become available to the public for adoption.

Public Adoptions

The majority of dogs available for adoption are between 1.5 and four years old. The youngest have learned basic obedience and are housebroken. Some of the dogs have had some guide dog training. Dogs that have retired from careers as guides also are available and usually are 7 years or older. All adoptable dogs have been neutered or spayed, and have up-to-date vaccinations prior to being offered for adoption.

The waiting list for public adoption is one to four years, depending on the preferred age, gender and breed that an adopter prefers. The waiting period will vary, depending on the requirements of the adoptive family. Those willing to adopt a dog with a more serious health or temperament issue experience a much shorter waiting period.

In recognition of donors who have supported our mission with a recent gift of $25,000 or more, The Seeing Eye maintains a VIP list of qualified adopters with reduced wait times. For more information regarding our VIP adoption program, please contact Donor & Public Relations at 973-539-4425 or email donate@seeingeye.org.

The standard adoption fee is $1,000. The fee is reduced for senior dogs and dogs with more serious health or temperament issues. Adoptive families are responsible for meeting their dogs at our facility in Morristown, N.J., and transporting them home. We do not ship dogs.

If you wish to apply, please complete the Dog Adoption Application on-line along with a $25 (USD) non-refundable application fee. If preferred, you may mail-in the application fee along with a copy of your printed on-line form to:

The Seeing Eye
Dog Adoptions
P.O. Box 375
Morristown, NJ 07963

Once your application has been completely filled out and your application fee has been received, your name will be put on our waiting list. Please be aware that due to variation in the population of adoptable dogs, not all applications will be fulfilled. To keep your application active, you MUST call us every six months to renew your request for adoption. You will be contacted as soon as we have a dog available that fits your family's profile. If you have additional questions, please email the adoption office at dogadoptions@seeingeye.org or call (973) 539-4425, ext. 1844.

wesw wrote:... sorry, my TV went up and I was bored...