Visually Impaired Man Attacked for Not Cleaning Guide Dog's Feces

A visually impaired man from Holon, Kokhavi Rafael Kochav, was violently assaulted nearly a month ago while walking his guide dog in a park near his home. According to Kochav, a man approached him aggressively, demanding he clean up after his dog, despite Kochav explaining he could not see. The attacker then allegedly physically assaulted Kochav, threw dog feces at him, and kicked him before fleeing. Kochav reported that bystanders did not intervene, and he had to call the police himself. He filed a complaint the following day, and a witness reportedly provided a statement that aided in identifying the suspect. However, Kochav expressed concern that the suspect has not yet been apprehended, despite the park being equipped with surveillance cameras. He fears the investigation may be closed without the perpetrator being found. Kochav stated that the incident has left him traumatized, making him afraid to leave his home and altering his daily routine. He emphasized the importance of his guide dog, calling her his "eyes." Kochav warned that such incidents could escalate and result in more severe outcomes, urging authorities to treat the case with severity to prevent future occurrences. He also noted that other visually impaired individuals using guide dogs have experienced similar attacks, highlighting a need for serious attention to this issue. The Israel Police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, with various actions taken, including witness testimonies and digital evidence collection. They declined to provide further details due to the active investigation.