I read with interest the letters written in response to the killing of the feral dogs in Wall Springs Park. I understand the sympathy for the dogs. It really isn't the dogs' fault; the fault lies with irresponsible owners who allow dogs to roam and revert to pack mentality to survive.
However, I do not fault Pinellas County Animal Services officers for shooting these animals. I know firsthand how dangerous a wild dog can be. My dog and I were attacked by a wild chow dog at Lake Chatauqua Park in Clearwater back in February. My black Labrador was seriously injured in this vicious attack.
There were three of us walking that day. We had a 2-year-old in a stroller and another small dog with us. The chow came charging out of the woods and came right for us. My Lab, Coal, blocked his attack. This attack went on for more than 10 minutes. Luckily, a Bright House Networks employee came by in his work van and saw what was happening. He stopped and helped us get the chow off Coal.
It took all of us working together to get that dog to stop attacking. The Bright House employee managed to get the dog into the back of his van and took it to Animal Services. My vet said that if Coal had gone down, the chow likely would have gone for the small dog or the baby.
I know that your letter writers who are looking for a humane way of stopping these dogs are well meaning. But a dog attack is no different than any wild animal attack. It is vicious and terrifying. I shudder to think what would have happened if the Bright House employee had not stopped to assist us.
Even though the feral dogs are themselves victims of bad owners, Animal Services must stop these dogs. I was attacked by one dog. There is no way that a person could fend off an entire pack. Animal Services has to protect the community from this danger.
-- Carole Davis, Clearwater
Capture of dangerous dogs might require harder methods
Re: Letter writers opposed to shooting of wild dogs in Wall Springs Park.
Get a grip, people! These are no longer your gentle lap dogs - in fact, it is doubtful that most of them ever were.
This is a pack of feral dogs (yes, feral is correct, look it up). They are clearly dangerous to you, your children and your pets as well as to the natural Florida animals on which they prey. Make no mistake about it, a pack of wild dogs is as potentially dangerous to humans (particularly children) as any animal you will find in Florida, having no fear at all of humans.
In addition to intelligent and vicious, add diseased. Rabies is endemic in the Florida ecosystem. Do you think it likely that the majority of these animals have had rabies vaccinations or the other inoculations that a well-kept pet would have?
Capturing a pack of intelligent, aggressive dogs is problematic and extremely hazardous. If captured, they will have to be destroyed. Having park personnel risking their lives and health to effect a "humane" capture of these very dangerous wild animals (that have no place in the Florida ecosystem) makes no sense at all.
Kill them or capture and kill them, but get them out of the area immediately!
-- David Pearce, Tarpon Springs
Shooting dogs eliminates risk of humans coming under attack
I was surprised to see letters criticizing the shooting of two dogs by park rangers/animal control workers. If the letter writers want to try and reason with wild dogs, let them. I would rather not risk injury to humans in the park. Happy hunting to the rangers.
-- Tom Teare, Clearwater
Neighbors are carrying wrong perception about foster children
Re: Neighbors fight group home for kids, story, Nov. 3.
These children have done nothing wrong. They were wronged by parents who could not or would not take proper care of them.
Hazel Heidemann stated, "How do we know if these kids have had proper inoculations? Can they just carry whatever disease or whatever through the neighborhood?" Ms. Heidemann, these are not feral dogs, these are children.
And Claire Lopez, what makes you think just because they are foster children,they will automatically steal or lie? You state, "My kids should not have to suffer and I should (not) have to fear something wearing off on my kids." Then, Ms. Lopez, you'd better pull your kids out of public school and keep them home, because these foster children will be attending school with your children. While you're at it, you might as well isolate your children from society, since this world is full of liars and thieves and they aren't all foster children.
I'd like to know where these children should go since you have labeled them disease-carrying burdens on society. Perhaps we should ship them off to a remote area of the country, put a fence around them, and forget about them. At least they would be far away from you and your family where, obviously, tolerance is not practiced or taught.
I believe that each one of these foster children could benefit from a relationship with a warm and loving family and neighborhood that accepts and embraces them. Where others see hope for these children, you see hopelessness. I feel more sorry for you than for these children.
-- Valerie Hughes, Oldsmar
Past experience with foster homes embitters residents
Re : Community should be open to children in need, letters, Nov. 7.
As I read your letters over my cup of cappuccino, looking out on the bay, I couldn't help but chuckle. Come on, folks, lighten up! We live in a wonderful, beautiful neighborhood by the bay in Oldsmar; our children are happy and well-adjusted. Is that what upsets you so much?
We experienced a group home a few years ago. Do a little research, folks. We have. That's why we are upset about what is about to happen next door to us.
I hope that Lee Scharrer, director of Gift of Life, proves us wrong and these will be good, kind, wonderful children who will improve our neighborhood and we can all bake cookies together. I realize that we have no say whatsoever in the end, but we have every right to defend our loved ones. That's all we are doing. A good mother is fiercely protective. All the barbs you throw mean absolutely nothing when you are facing a protective mom.
The clients of that former group home terrorized the neighborhood. You keep talking about poor children. It may start that way, but we learned from experience that the home changes clients and all hell breaks loose. "Everybody deserves a break." I agree, so, guys, cut us a break, will you?
Oh, by the way, folks, send your addresses to Mr. Scharrer. I'm sure he would prefer to be in your neighborhood. Prove what gracious and kind folks you all are. Move this group home next door to yourselves.
-- Sandy Sears, Oldsmar
Foster children need, deserve support from the community
Re: Group home for kids resisted, story, Nov. 3.
"There is only one child in all the world, and their name is all children." - Carl Sandburg
How sad it is to live in a community where not only do we judge people by their actions, but the actions of the parents who gave birth to them. What the people in this neighborhood should be afraid of is that their own bigotry and ignorance will be passed on to their children.
These foster children have done nothing but be born into unfortunate circumstances. They deserve the open arms and love of their community. Perhaps if there were more individuals and families to care for children in need of a loving home, we wouldn't need group shelters. But the need is so great, this is the best chance our county can offer them at a decent life.
If only people could begin to see all children as their children. I pray these teens never see or hear of this article.
