Northern train firm apology after conductor strokes guide dog

Dezzie wears a sign which clearly states "do not pet"

A train company has apologised after one of its ticket collectors petted a woman's guide dog against her wishes.

Chloe Tear, who is visually impaired, was travelling to Leeds on a Northern service when the member of staff unexpectedly approached her dog Dezzie.

She heard him telling Dezzie he could stroke him because he was lying down and, therefore, not working.

Ms Tear said the conductor ignored a large sign attached to the dog's lead which clearly stated "do not pet".

The 25-year-old, who was returning home to Leeds from a trip to Blackburn, said: "It was a bit odd, it was like an internal monologue. He was telling Dezzie that he wasn't working so he could stroke him.

"Dogs are working, even if they're lying down. Dezzie is young and we have only been partnered for four months."

Ms Tear said she found it hard to tell people to stop stroking the Labrador cross retriever.

"It happens a lot but some people get defensive. No means no."

Dezzie has been a lifeline for Ms Tear who previously used a long cane with assistance from friends and family.

Ms Tear described Dezzie as a lifeline

Paul Bush, canine assisted services operations manager for the Guide Dogs charity, said: "Our guide dogs need to focus on guiding their owners safely and confidently.

"Distracting a guide dog could put their owner in real danger if, for example, they are navigating a busy environment or crossing a road.

"We kindly ask the public to respect guide dogs' jobs by refraining from petting, talking to or distracting them while on duty, even if the dog is quietly settled with their owner.

"Members of the public should bear in mind that a guide dog in harness is still working, even if lying down, so they should always ask the owner before petting or interacting with a guide dog."

Matt Wilson, accessibility manager at Northern, said: "I would like to apologise to Ms Tear and Dezzie for their experience.

"All our new conductors undergo accessibility training and Northern supports service dog training across our network and we aim to make our trains - and our wider network - as accessible as possible."