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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Owners, not pit bulls, are to blame

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published August 17, 2007

Re: Pit bull kills family's dachshund story, Aug. 10

Owners, not pit bulls, are to blame

I'd like to express my condolences to the Mailles and Berry families for the loss of their beloved pets. One is dead and one awaits his fate - both families lose. The really sad part is that it all could have been prevented if both families had used a leash and acted more responsibly.

As pet owners, we are responsible for the health and well-being of our pets. We need to be aware of the situations we put them in every day. No matter how much we think of them as our children and members of our family, they are still animals and will defend themselves with their teeth.

According to the paper, the Mailles' two dachshunds "charged" the pit bull, but the pit bull was a bigger, stronger dog. Would the story have made the headlines if the larger dog had been a collie? An Australian shepherd? A Labrador retriever?

I'm not a big fan of pit bulls, as one of our dogs was attacked by one at a public dog park a few months ago. Our dog was of comparable size and my wife and I were able to separate the dogs in less than a minute. Our dog survived the 10 bite wounds, but we spent a couple of hours at the emergency veterinary clinic. The dog's owner disappeared while we were checking out our dog and trying to stop the bleeding.

This was an isolated incident and we've actually met more friendly pit bulls than vicious ones. I find it disturbing that the paper only seems to report and sensationalize dog bite stories when they involve pit bulls.

I read an article a year or so ago that gave dog bite statistics for Pinellas and Hillsborough counties and the No. 1 breed for dog bites was not a pit bull in either county. I have seen far more small dogs snap at or bite people than large dogs, but they don't make the paper because the small dog doesn't inflict as much damage, even if it is just as vicious. When was the last time we saw a headline about a Yorkie or chihuahua or dachshund or any other small dog biting someone? Don't think it doesn't happen!

Yes, the dachshund was a beloved pet. I'm sure the pit bull is, too. But why paint the dachshund as an innocent victim? Because it was smaller and not normally thought of as an aggressive dog? Tell that to the pit bull. From what I understand, the dachshund basically picked a fight with the wrong dog. That dog might just as well have been any other larger breed that could have done the same amount of damage.

The problem is not the breed, the problem is the human. Dogs are not normally born aggressive but may react that way if they feel they are being threatened. We may not feel threatened by a snarling dachshund running toward us, but that's a whole different story in the dog world. Free-roaming dogs can't be controlled and are an invitation to disaster.

Richard Rosen, in his Aug. 12 letter to the editor, like so many others, seems to take the side of banning the breed. The breed is really not the problem, it's the irresponsible owner. You can ban the pit bull, but rest assured, those irresponsible owners looking for that "tough man" image will just move to another "bully breed." As the owner of three rescued Doberman pinschers, I am very much against breed specific legislation. I can remember a time not long ago that the Doberman breed had an unfounded bad reputation.

Had both owners acted more responsibly, probably none of this would have happened. Learn to be a responsible pet owner!

Gary Borland, Clearwater

Motorcyclists taking risks

It seems that a day doesn't go by when I don't pick up the newspaper and find another person has died on a motorcycle.

Another senseless tragedy.

However, I travel daily on U.S. 19, and I see many motorcyclists taking so many risks - cutting in and out of traffic, squeezing between two cars, not wearing helmets, etc.

I'm not saying all cyclists take too many risks, but for those who do, what are you thinking? Are you looking to be the next headline in the newspaper?

Pam Pilutik, Palm Harbor

Teachers enjoyed a day as pirates

Please allow me the chance to thank the captain and crew of the pirate ship at Clearwater Beach, AstroSkate, principal Alison Kennedy and crew at Safety Harbor Middle School, and last but certainly not least, school superintendent Clayton Wilcox and the Pinellas County School Board (which almost never gets thanks these days) for allowing the "pirates" (teachers and staff of the middle school) a morning on the high seas. It was the best kickoff to another successful school year!

It should be no secret why Safety Harbor Middle is an "A" school. Go Pirates! Go Seahawks!

Janice Brown, Safety Harbor

[Last modified August 16, 2007, 20:41:54]