‘Let’s all think before jumping on anti-pitbull bandwagon’

Hoping to make it to the pitbull love-in tomorrow at Bosely’s Pet Store. Meantime, some more mail. — Mel.

To say that the breed is the problem is the same as someone saying that black people are criminals. It is blatant type-casting and discrimination. Black people get type-casted because of the economic situation that some of them are in and the TV shows that focus on that element. Pit bulls are type-cast because some people want a dog to help them look tough and train them to be aggressive. Over the years that role has been performed by german shepherds, rottweillers, doberman pinschers, and now pit bulls. They just happen to be the trendy tough dog at this point in time. That doesn’t mean that any of those breeds aren’t safe, loving dogs when they have secure owners. To ban the breed would be as absurd as banning black people.

That dog Mel Rothenburger described at the dog park whose intentions were “unknown”, sounds like he came up to say hello & check out the new dog coming in. It was Mel’s preconceived opinion that was the problem. Personally, I am afraid of chihuahua’s. They are often aggressive since their owners don’t like to discipline them because they are small & cute. Those tiny teeth are incredibly sharp. That’s my preconceived opinion but I’m sure there are many well behaved chihuahua’s out there.

At dog parks like everywhere in society, people need to be responsible and there are always the ones that aren’t. I like the idea of separating the small dogs from the big ones but where do the mid-sized dogs fit? I for one would prefer to be in the big dog section because most owners of big dogs train their pets, small dogs don’t get trained as often since they aren’t thought of as a threat. They are often the vicious ones.

Any large dog can get playing and knock a child over and hurt them. Any small dog can bite and rip the child’s skin with those tiny sharp teeth. No-one even thinks of lodging a complaint against an exuberant golden retriever or an insecure chihuahua do they?

It’s the situation of the individual dog that makes a dog aggressive not the breed. We all need to think before we jump on the anti-breed bandwagon (which is currently anti-pit bull).

LINDSEY BORSA

Clearwater

First of all, Pit bulls were not designed to kill. Second, not all Americans carry guns. I, for instance, do not. I also do not take my dogs to dog parks because ANY DOG CAN BITE. My vet recommends against dog parks because more injuries to dogs come from dog parks. I don’t know who wrote that article but you have your facts wrong. Just fanning the flames of pit bull hate.

TERESA HIEBERT

Bellingham, WA

 

My wife took our two small dogs to Westsyde Dog Park on Sunday where we are regulars there, a guy with 3 pitbull mixes came by the park on his way to the river, they were all unleashed and playing very aggressively.The lady my wife was talking to knew him and said hi to him, (I think they work together)so he came into the park with his dogs.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. Our dog needed several stitches to repair to damage from these two dogs, $730.00 so far, the owner has agreed to pay for the damage, we’ll see.

RENE BEAULIEU

Kamloops

 

Some dogs are just intimidating and I know I will walk an extra block with my gentle female just to ensure there is no encounter.  Unfortunately it isn’t just pitbulls, as I was walking past a home on 7^th Avenue on the north shore and my dog was attached by a large black dog that got off leash and took her down.  Owners comment was “he’s usually so friendly”……….  Well not so friendly right now.

While we are on the “dog” subject what are your view about the huge increase on dog licensing fee.  Increasing by almost 50% is pretty excessive.  We as drivers can have a license for 5 years and I believe it is $50.00 for 5 years, and dog licensing at $25.00 per year.  Doing the math that is $150.00 for five years.  Why can’t a system be put in place where you have the option to buy year by year or to save money buy a license for 5 years or possibly ten.  Even a system very much like our automobile insurance would work to cut cost.

The increase hasn’t given us more rights to anything with our beloved pet.

Licensing of our pets is very important, but I also believe this increase to some households is quite a hardship to their budget, hence may not purchase.

Just my thoughts

 

JOANNE MAHAR

Kamloops

 

Absolutely ridiculous article about pitbulls and dog parks clearly written by a very prejudiced person with no dog knowledge. First of all “pitt bull” is a general term referring to breeds like american pitt bull terrier, english staffordshire terrier, boxer, etc. So what was the breed that you saw? It had “strong jaws and an ugly body?  You cannot blanket term these dogs, saying they are all aggressive. It is simply untrue. From personal experience (years working with many breeds training and dog care), I have never has a bad experience with a pitt bull. I have been attacked by a black lap and been bitten a beagle and a german shepherd and a shih tzu. And it was just assumed that this pit bull in question was aggressive, but I kind of don’t think he was considering all the other dogs at the park were still alive. Go do your research from reliable sources before writing articles that make you look like a biased fool. Maybe write an apology, followed by an accurate article about pit bulls used as therapy dogs, helper dogs, search and rescue dogs.

thanks,

CHELSEA PERSALL

Langley

 

You and newspapers like yours are always fostering stories and media hype discriminating against Pit-Bulls, or in your case, what looks like a Pit Bull as well. Would you have written your article if another Golden Retriever, a German Shepherd or other large dog threw itself against that gate?! Probably not.

There is an organization that has just opened a Kamloops branch called Hug-A-Bull. This group, as well as many others across Canada and the US, and Cesar Milan himself, work to stop the stereotyping of this breed of dog. A Pittie is the most loving, affectionate and loyal dog you can imagine! The breed is not at fault. Did you not love Pete the Pup on Spanky and Our Gang?  American Staffordshires were popular family dogs!  Staffordshire Bull Terriers are called “Nanny Dogs” because they are so good with children!

“In the 70’s they blamed the Dobermans.

In the 80’s they blamed German Shepherds.

In the 90’s they blamed Rottweilers.

Now, they blame the Pit Bulls.” -Cesar Milan

“When will they blame the Humans?”

Perhaps people should be screened before they can own a dog to begin with!  It is irresponsible owners that cause a bad name for the dogs and spoil it for everyone else.

Perhaps a requirement of the dog park, if any, should be that animals are fixed, to decrease the aggressive, territorial instincts that you speak of, present in all animals.

MARLYNE MARRESE

Pit Bull Mom