A BLIND woman is calling for a change in the law after her guide dog was attacked for the fifth time by animals not kept under control.

The 20-year-old has called for tighter controls to be imposed on dogs in town centres to prevent working animals coming under attack.

Kimberley, who has requested that her surname and address is not disclosed, said her black labrador Daisy had been set upon on five separate occasions - four times in Darlington's High Row.

Kimberley, who went blind at the age of 15, said: "She is my first guide dog.

"I waited four years for her because there are so many people wanting guide dogs.

"I am not about to have her ruined because of other people's negligence.

"I intend to change the law to stop these attacks."

UK law states that dogs must be kept under control in public places, but does not stipulate the use of a lead.

A bylaw exists in Darlington which is enforceable only by Darlington Borough Council, not police.

Kimberley, whose blindness was caused by a condition known as ketoacidosis, said she was shocked when she researched the law.

She said: "There's nothing the police can do if it is a dog on dog attack. They cannot force people to put dogs on leads.

"I don't think that the law goes far enough. In the town centre where there are people, children and working dogs, dogs should be kept on a lead."

Kimberley, who lives in Richmondshire, said she would not attempt to rebuild Daisy's confidence.

"I'm relying on her to work for me, but she cannot work while she's being attacked," she said.

"I has shattered her confidence. She's nervous every time we go across High Row."

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: "We have received correspondence from the lady and our dog wardens team are looking into her comments.

"The current regulations state that dogs must be on lead at all times when in Darlington's pedestrian heart area.

"Our dog wardens do patrol the town centre and can issue a £75 fixed penalty notice to dog owners found to be in breach of this."