What’s The Problem At Irish Guide Dogs
Another Failing Charity?
Press Release 20th September 2018
Press Conference
Saturday 22nd September
@1pm in Spailpin Fanach, South Main Street, Cork city
Blind goat farmer Ed Harper, 69, received a phone call on Tuesday, at
his Cape Clear home where he was told his guide dog Izzy was being
forcibly retired on Monday. His hope that after a 2 year wait a
replacement for ten year old German Shepherd Izzy had been found was
dashed by the news that there was no possibility of a replacement dog
for the foreseeable future.
“This unilateral seizure of the working harness makes no sense. I
could not have farmed for the last 39 years without my 6 loyal working
dogs. They have been my freedom and my independence. Izzy is already a
year overdue for her hard earned retirement, but my vet confirms she
is still physically fit to go on working and none of the Irish Guide
Dog staff who have visited us have seen failings in her work.”
Unfortunately, Mr. Harper’s case is not unique. Privately, owners have
been discussing the unreliability of the organization for several
years. In a statement made to the press the Irish Guide Dogs
Association, they mentioned that they were increasing the number of
Puppies from 80 to 120-130, while increasing available Guide dogs from
30 to 39. This plays at the heart of the problem. Not all puppies
entering service will achieve the goal of becoming guide dogs. That is
an accepted truth. However, with 15% of their running costs given by
the government and massive amounts of funds coming from the public,
the question must be asked: why have they a success rate of less than
a third?
“The Irish Guide Dogs Association was set up 40 years ago to provide
vision impaired citizens with quality guide dogs. They have done this
for many years but the standards seems to have slipped. We are calling
for a full, independent investigation as to how the funding they
receive has been used, if not for the production and training of high
quality dogs.” explains Mr. Harper’s carer, Vanessa O’Sullivan. “We
are determined to get to the root cause and genuine solution as to why
experienced owners are now being left for years without replacements.”
The media are invited to a very special Press Conference on Saturday
22nd September at 1pm in the Spailpin Fanach, South Main Street, Cork
city to discuss Mr Harpers case and more.
Further Information:
Vanessa O’Sullivan, [email protected] Mob. 0852306324
Ed Harper [email protected] Mob. 0877973056