Pitbull owners defend their dogs against the Armchair Mayor
Busy day keeping up with my mail.
“I read your opinion piece on dog parks and I just wanted to let you know that you are an asshole,” writes Zeb Carter. “Uneducated, uninformed, and ignorant are adjectives that would describe you as well, but I prefer asshole.” I’m sure he meant to add, “Excuse the language.”
And this, just in, from Dan Pepe: “CLOWN!”
Jamie Laird sent one with the subject line “Regarding your idiocy.” He writes, “What a ridiculous article you wrote. One-minded and completely uneducated. When I read it, I was unaware it was written by a past mayor, and upon reading it, I was overcome with happiness that you are no longer in that position.”
One from Chelsea Persall begins, “Absolutely ridiculous article about pitbulls and dog parks clearly written by a very prejudiced person with no dog knowledge.”
They’re all referring of course, to this week’s Armchair Mayor column in The Daily News headlined “Dog parks are no place for pitbulls.” The opinions above are but a sampling, and I’ve been forwarding them to Daily News editor Robert Koopmans as possible letters to the editor. Meanwhile, the topic has stirred up a lively string of comments on the Daily News website and Twitter as well.
Not everyone thinks I’m the lowest imaginable form of life for modestly proposing pitbulls find somewhere else to play than dog parks. For example, “Thanks Mel for speaking your mind and giving your feelings on a situation which you considered to be unsafe for your dog and perhaps, yourself,” johnwillsay commented to KDN online.
Rene Beaulieu writes about taking his two small dogs to the Westsyde dog park where three pitbull mixes were playing. “Two of the dogs immediately attacked our Bishon-Frise, one grabbed his head the other his hind end, they would have ripped him in two if it weren’t for a quick response from the owner and other people there.”
I also received a friendly invitation from Kim Christenson to attend a Hugabull Event next month to meet “a) happy, loving, well socialized pits and pit mixes, and b) responsible pit owners,” which I’ve accepted. But Jesse will be staying home that day.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
As much as I love Kamloops, if a ban of any kind were to happen I would never move back there. I will not live in a place that encourages or re-enforced all the fear mongering surrounding one of my favourite breeds of dogs. Also, saying a dog is inherently dangerous due to breeding is like saying all Asians are smart or the ridiculous old bs ‘facts’ that were about black people all those years ago.
That said, I’m glad you’re going to the event, though I wonder if you’re going there with an open mind.
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I have people cross the street to avoid my wonderfully friendly pitty/boxer cross Emmy,we go to the dog parks on a daily basis where she is known and loved. Once you accepted the meeting with the responsible owner who assures you that her dogs are well socialized and friendly and you still make it a point to leave your dog at home just shows what lack of understanding you have. You are one of the what I like to call “fluffy dog owners”,who own dogs as an ornament have no real understanding of dog behaviour. You and your type that pre-judge are the ones that should stay out the dog parks.
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I’m glad to hear you’re planning to come. And you can bring Jesse, Golden’s are welcome too you know ;-)
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You are a foul human being, bashing a breed of dogs based on fear and ignorance.
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You failed to mention the responses that were fact driven. You must remember that you opened up a can of worms with you ‘opinion.’ (Which could likely have been your intention). Glad to hear that you will be coming to Bosley’s… I am sure that you will be hearing it in person from all of us.
And the fact that you are purposely leaving your dog at home only provokes your fear. Here’s to hoping that when you see responsible dogs and owners you will change your outlook on life.
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