Paralympic hopeful devastated as guide dog retires

An aspiring Paralympian who went blind about seven-and-a-half years ago said he was "physically shaking for days" after his beloved guide dog Milo was forced to retire.

Scott Bailey was partnered with the golden retriever through the Guide Dogs charity after he lost his sight due to diabetic retinopathy, where high blood sugar damages the back of the eye.

Milo had to be retired because he began showing signs of "traffic avoidance" in recent months, which meant Scott would often bump into things.

The former dairy farmer from Crewe, Cheshire, previously told the BBC how Milo changed his life after his condition left him "stuck" indoors.

Bailey had previously cautioned about how the high costs of raising guide dogs could lead to longer waiting times for people who needed them - something he was now himself faced with experiencing.

He told BBC Radio Stoke the number of people applying for guide dogs meant there was not one immediately available to replace Milo.

He has now had to re-register, and start the process of applying for a dog from the very beginning again.

"I've never, ever been without a dog in my life – even when I could see," he said. "This is the first time I've been without a dog."

He added it would be "amazing" to have another guide dog and that this would give him a purpose and something to focus on.

According to Guide Dogs, the cost of raising a dog before it is partnered with an owner has risen from £35,000 to £77,000 over the past five years.

The charity said it also cost about £25,000 to support the dog through its working life until it retired, taking the overall total to more than £100,000 per dog.

Bailey, a judo athlete hoping to compete at the Los Angeles Paralympic Games in 2028, said his partnership with Milo had a big impact on his life.

"I always said he's enabled me to be the girls' dad again and a better husband," he said speaking last year to BBC Radio Stoke.

"When I lost my sight, I didn't want to be here. I felt useless and in the way. I couldn't cope being stuck inside, but Milo gave me that purpose."

The pair have campaigned on issues such as e-scooters after being hit by one while out walking, and have also called for more to be done about dangerous pavement parking.

They appeared in a Guide Dogs TV advert, and Milo was also nominated for a hero award at Crufts.

They were now having to adjust to life without each other, however.

"At the end of the day, what's best for Milo is what's best for me, but it's sad," Bailey said.

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