Amanda Bohl’s service dog, Beatrice, was attacked while sitting under a small table in an elementary school last month, leaving injuries to her right leg. (Courtesy: Instagram)
It has been two months since service dog Beatrice was attacked by a woman on an elementary school campus. Beatrice’s story has garnered attention in the Oxford community, but the trial had to be postponed because of a no-show.
The trial has been set to take place in two to six months, after the woman accused of attacking Beatrice did not show up in court for her arraignment on May 25.
Amanda Bohl, a senior education major and Beatrice’s handler, said she hopes a new trial will resolve the incident.
“On a state level, this act of violence is considered a misdemeanor,” Bohl said. “On a federal level, it is considered a felony. In my mind, this was also an act of cruelty. Beatrice’s story should be known. It is not just my team I am standing up for: It is all teams.”
The trial is unusual. According to Maj. Sheridan Maiden of the Oxford Police Department, service dog assaults in the area are an uncommon complaint.
The woman is charged with harassment of guide dogs, which includes malicious and willful beating or attempting to beat a guide dog as well as interfering with or impeding duties performed by a guide dog.
In addition to those charges, Bohl is hoping to seek restitution for all of Beatrice’s medical bills.
Bohl said while Beatrice is steadily progressing, she is fighting off an infection in her joints, which causes swelling and fluid buildup. The animal was recently hospitalized with a 105.8-degree fever.
Beatrice’s hospitalization and injuries have severely affected Bohl emotionally and physically over the past two months.
“I fought several internal battles as I try to cope with this event, and I am still having trouble getting around them,” Bohl said. “At the moment I remain housebound. Over the past two months I have fallen about a dozen times with minor injuries and am experiencing more pain than I have in months.”
Bohl has balance issues and Beatrice’s service helps Bohl throughout her day by helping her balance and walk with assistance.
Beatrice’s recovery time is still unknown. Bohl and her family are also taking precautions and looking for new prospective service dogs.
“It is an ugly incident and I cannot discount what happened to Beatrice in order to make others feel more comfortable about what happened within the walls of a public elementary school,” Bohl said.
