Marcus Jones MP has supported Guide Dogs’ call to stop attacks on guide dogs, and attended a reception at the Houses of Parliament yesterday. The Nuneaton MP was amongst the 150 Members of Parliament that backed the charity's call.

New figures that were released on Monday 11 June showed attacks on guide dogs are at an all time high and now running at an average of eight a month. Guide Dogs held the reception to highlight the charity’s growing concern about attacks on guide dogs by other dogs and to ask MPs for their support.

The government is currently consulting about compulsory microchipping but has said its preferred option is to microchip puppies only. Under this plan, it would take 10 to 15 years before all dogs are microchipped. Guide Dogs believe it would take too long to have an impact and wants to see the compulsory microchipping of all dogs within two years.

Guide Dogs sees the compulsory microchipping of all dogs as a vital first step towards reducing the number of attacks, but believe the Government should go further.

David Cowdrey, Guide Dogs' Campaigns Manager, said: "An attack on any dog is frightening, but for a guide dog owner it is much worse. With more than eight reported attacks on guide dogs a month, the trauma caused by these unprovoked attacks could leave a blind or partially sighted person a virtual prisoner in their own home.

"We welcome Marcus’ support for our campaign, and ultimately we want the law changed so an attack on an assistance dog is treated as seriously as an attack on a person."

Commenting on the campaign, Marcus said: “Guide dogs help provide independence and freedom to thousands of blind and partially sighted people in the UK, they are absolutely vital to allowing someone to live an independent life. Hearing about the numbers of guide dogs attacked in the UK was disturbing given the serious impact losing a guide dog can have on the quality of life enjoyed by a blind or partially sighted person.

“Microchipping is a step in the right direction but the Government must take into account the problems being highlighted by the Guide Dogs charity during the consultation period.”