By Jacob Stuart

An attack on a guide dog in Belmont by an unrestrained dog has prompted a call from Guide Dogs NSW for owners to keep dogs on a leash.

Ian Weller, who suffers from Retinitis Atrophy, was walking his Labrador Banjo through the mall on Monday when a dog came from nowhere and latched its jaws around the dogs neck.

Passers-by quickly came to the aid of Mr Weller and Banjo.

However, Mr Weller could lose Banjo as a result of the savage attack, which left the dog with multiple bruises.

It’s one of 12 attacks on guide dogs reported over the past year.