A registered blind man from Winsford has recalled the distressing moment his guide dog was attacked by another dog.

Craig Acton, 28, and his assistance dog Fred were standing outside Fortuna Bingo on Dingle Lane at around 10.20pm on Thursday, January 15, when a dog - which Craig and his friends believed was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier - bolted across the road towards them.

Black Labrador Fred has had to receive veterinary treatment following the attack, which left him with a puncture wound and extremely shaken.

Craig, who is registered blind but has a small amount of vision depending on lighting, told the Chronicle: “The dog just launched itself at Fred’s neck but I managed to kick out to protect Fred. The dog then came back again, this time at Fred’s back end. I kicked the dog again and knocked it away before it latched on.

“It could have been a lot worse because he went straight for Fred’s throat.

“It made me angry this happened to my dog."

While Craig said it has not made him scared to go out with Fred, he admitted he is dubious about allowing him to go near other dogs now.

“Guide dogs are trained not to be aggressive and Fred did not react at all.

“He’s quite a friendly dog and likes to say hello to other dogs but I am a bit more concerned about letting him do that now.

“Fred is my best friend really.

“Without him, I would struggle.”

Sgt Christopher Hall, of Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said the incident is currently under investigation.

Changes to the Anti-social Behaviour Act mean that owners whose dogs attack assistance dogs could now face up to three years in prison.

The charity Guide Dogs, which has campaigned for such a change, has welcomed the tougher sentences.

Nick Mullineux, mobility team manager at Guide Dogs Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “Attacks on guide dogs are extremely distressing for their owners.

“Not only is the attack itself traumatic but if the dog has to be withdrawn from the service then the guide dog owner may have trouble leaving home on their own.

“We hope the new tougher sentences for owners whose dogs attack guide dogs will act as a strong deterrent.

“With an average of 10 guide dogs currently being attacked every month, we are now looking to the police to fully use their new powers.”

A puppy from Ellesmere Port lost his leg after he was attacked by two dogs in October.