Dognapper tried to steal Basingstoke woman’s guide dog

Maisy McAdam from Lychpit, was out exercising in a local nature reserve last Wednesday (February 3) when the shocking incident happened.

She had let Willow, her six-year-old black Labrador-golden retriever cross, off her lead when a man approached and started asking her questions.

Maisy told the Gazette: “Willow was running off lead close to me when we were approached by a lone man. He started asking me friendly questions about Willow, her name, her age and I thought it was weird because he didn’t have his own dog.”

“We were in quite a secluded location; there were people nearby, but they would not have been able to see me through the trees. I suppose they would have heard me if I had screamed.

“The man was crouching next to Willow when I heard a click. He had pulled out a lead, which I think he guessed I couldn’t see as I was carrying a long white cane. I am partially-sighted and can see shapes and colours, but no real detail.”

When Maisy asked the man what he was doing he jumped up startled and fled the scene.

“I quickly clipped on Willow’s lead and left the area. I went to call my mum but then got scared that the man would come back and take my phone and Willow. I don’t have any peripheral vision so I couldn’t tell where he was or if he was near me.

“I walked back to my partner’s house, staying on the phone to Charlie, my instructor at Guide Dogs, the whole way.”

Maisy informed the police of the incident but she is still very shaken up and now feels nervous about walking on her own.

Maisy says: “I feel sick about what could have happened. I’m worried that as Willow is so friendly with people that she won’t have realised until it is was too late.

“I’m now quite nervous of going out on my own, and will probably walk more with my partner there too. I don’t think I’ll share Willow’s name or any information about her with strangers anymore, which is a shame because I know most people are being kind and are just interested in guide dogs.”

Had Willow been taken, Maisy would have lost much more than just her companion and family member.

Willow allows her to lead an independent life and was carefully matched with her by Guide Dogs after years of specialist training.

Maisy says of Willow: “She’s the best, I know I am biased but she really is. She’s given me so much confidence, not only to travel around by myself but to meet new people and speak up for myself.

“She’s so sensitive and emotionally tuned in to me, always knowing whether I am happy or sad. She is a part of my social circle; everyone I am friends with is friends with Willow as well.

“I am graduating from the University of Worcester this summer, and she’s going to have a cap and gown too. I am so happy she is still with me.”

Tim Stafford, Director of Canine Affairs, said: “Stealing a dog is not the same as stealing someone’s television, despite the law seeing it that way.  The theft of a dog is much more like the abduction of a loved family member. Blind and visually impaired people rely on their guide dogs for their independence and wellbeing. A huge investment of love, time and money has gone into creating each of our incredible guide dog partnerships.

“Our guide dog owners and the volunteers who look after our puppies regularly practice recall training, so their dogs can have fun free time off the lead safely. We would encourage all pet owners to do the same. In this case, Willow was right by Maisy’s side, allowing her to understand what was happening and intervene.

“Thankfully it is incredibly rare for Guide Dogs to have an incident of dog theft or attempted dog theft.”