Visually impaired woman sues for 1.7M Yen after unleashed dog attacks guide dog, causing fall

From The Yomiuri Shimbun

April 26 2026

MATSUYAMA – A lawsuit is being heard at the Imabari branch of the Matsuyama District Court in which a visually impaired woman is seeking approximately 1.7 million yen in damages from a dog owner, alleging that she fell and was injured after an unleashed dog approached her guide dog. While the woman says she wants people to better understand the dangers of bringing dogs close to guide dogs, the defendant argues that the dog was immediately called back and caused no injury, and is seeking dismissal of the claim.

According to the complaint and related documents, the plaintiff, a woman in her 50s living in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, was walking home in June 2023 with her guide dog, a Labrador Retriever, when an unleashed small dog, a Chihuahua, approached them. The guide dog came to an abrupt stop, causing the woman to lose her balance and fall. She claims to have suffered bruises and sprains to her lower back and both arms and legs, and filed suit in May 2024 seeking medical expenses and compensation for emotional distress.

The defendant acknowledges walking the dog without a leash but counters that the dog merely approached to sniff the guide dog and moved away immediately when called back. The defense also claims that when the guide dog stopped, the woman simply sat down on the spot and was not injured.

According to the plaintiff’s attorney, the judge proposed a settlement during the proceedings, but both sides declined. The key issues in dispute are whether there was negligence in allowing the dog to approach the guide dog, whether the plaintiff was injured, and whether there is a causal link between the incident and the alleged injuries.

In an interview with Yomiuri Shimbun, the plaintiff stressed, “If you fall on a public road, there’s a risk of being hit by a car, could be life-threatening.” She added, “I want people to understand how dangerous it is to interfere with a guide dog while it is guiding.”

The defendant’s attorney declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.

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Requests to the public: “Please do not touch guide dogs” (70.6%)

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there are 768 working guide dogs nationwide (as of last October), and they are indispensable to the daily lives of people with visual impairments.

The Japan Lighthouse, an Osaka-based organization that trains guide dogs, urges the public not to engage in behaviors such as:

• bringing other dogs close to guide dogs
• touching them without permission
• giving them food

According to advisor Koji Tahara (75), when another dog suddenly approaches, visually impaired individuals may find it difficult to grasp the surrounding situation. As a result, they may be unable to anticipate and respond to the guide dog’s movements—such as stopping—leading to dangerous situations.

In a 2018 survey conducted by the Eye Mate Association, a public interest foundation in Tokyo, targeting guide dog users nationwide (119 respondents), common requests to the public included:

• “Please do not touch guide dogs” (70.6%)
• “Please do not talk to guide dogs” (67.2%)

Many respondents asked people to refrain from actions that disrupt a guide dog’s concentration. In free-response comments, some also said, “Even if you intend to help, please don’t suddenly grab the leash.”

The association notes that even well-intentioned actions can cause fear if someone approaches suddenly. It recommends first asking, “Is there anything I can help you with?” before offering assistance.