AN OBE has revealed she is “mostly housebound” and losing confidence 17 months after her vital guide dog was forced to retire. 

Blind campaigner Jill Allen-King has been without a guide dog since the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association told her that Jagger, her much-loved companion, must step down from service. 

Every day tasks have since become almost impossible for Jill and she told the Echo she now spends the majority of the time at home. 

Companion - Jill and Jagger Companion - Jill and Jagger (Image: Newsquest)


Although Jagger was forced to retire, he remained with Jill until he unexpectedly died in February this year. 

Jill is now on the 1,200-strong waiting list for a new dog from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. 

Jill said: “I am mostly housebound, I try to go for a walk around the block but struggle most of the time, I don’t want to cross the road.

Pride of Britain - Jill and Paul O'Grady at the Pride of Britain awards in 2022 Pride of Britain - Jill and Paul O'Grady at the Pride of Britain awards in 2022 (Image: Newsquest) Dog Lover - Jill with her dogs Dog Lover - Jill with her dogs (Image: Newsquest)


“I am very cross and annoyed, Jagger died in February this year and I have been waiting since last February on a waiting list, Jagger was retired on June 1, 2022.

“He died quite suddenly, and I have been waiting for 17 months.

“I went to the guide dog all-general meeting in September, and they had trained 469 dogs last year and yet there is a waiting list of 1200.

“That number had gone down to around 1000 but I had a meeting two weeks ago and was told that number has gone back up to 1200.”

Former Southend West and Leigh MP Anna Firth previously helped Jill be placed on a “priority list” to get a new dog and has been in touch with her successor, Labour MP David Burton-Sampson.

Jill added the impact from not having a guide dog for her is “worsening” as there are few alternatives to a guide dog service, with most blind charities not offering schemes to have volunteers accompany the blind.

She said: “I have no confidence without a guide dog, for 52 years I had seven dogs, I was never without a dog in those years.

“I never had a break in 52 years from having a dog, to lose Jagger suddenly was devastating and I still think he is here, it is horrible, I know many blind people in the same situation. A lot live alone.”

Jill hopes to have a phone meeting this week with Labour MP David Burton-Sampson to discuss the situation.