Marty
01-14-2005, 04:11 PM
Phoenix, AZ -- Regarding "Show Low considers a ban on pit bulls" (Valley & State, Tuesday):
The tragic death of Annilee McKinnon was the result of two factors.
1.Janice Caulkins owning vicious dogs and allowing them to run at large.
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2.The city of Show Low not following up on complaints of neighbors and enforcing the citations already issued to Caulkins.
Putting a ban on all dogs displaying the majority of physical traits of a pit bull and imposing stipulations on responsible owners of this breed is nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction designed to assuage public perception without actually addressing the underlying problem: irresponsible people training dogs to become vicious.
Taking innocent puppies and killing them is not the solution for keeping people safe from vicious dogs.
I believe a strong form of legislation and enforcement is needed for pit bulls, not to protect people from the dogs, but to protect the dogs from the people.
Instead of focusing on the pit bulls, turn the spotlight on the humans.
To enact a ban will only take pit bulls out of loving family homes and drive the undesirable owners further underground. Banning breeds is the same as putting a Band-aid on a cancer. You can't see it any more, but the problem still exists.
Leave the pit bull in the hands of the responsible pet owners who love this breed. Don't punish the people who are responsible pit bull owners.
I am a proud and responsible owner of two loving American Pit Bull Terriers. - Sharon Odekirk, Phoenix
The tragic death of Annilee McKinnon was the result of two factors.
1.Janice Caulkins owning vicious dogs and allowing them to run at large.
advertisement
2.The city of Show Low not following up on complaints of neighbors and enforcing the citations already issued to Caulkins.
Putting a ban on all dogs displaying the majority of physical traits of a pit bull and imposing stipulations on responsible owners of this breed is nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction designed to assuage public perception without actually addressing the underlying problem: irresponsible people training dogs to become vicious.
Taking innocent puppies and killing them is not the solution for keeping people safe from vicious dogs.
I believe a strong form of legislation and enforcement is needed for pit bulls, not to protect people from the dogs, but to protect the dogs from the people.
Instead of focusing on the pit bulls, turn the spotlight on the humans.
To enact a ban will only take pit bulls out of loving family homes and drive the undesirable owners further underground. Banning breeds is the same as putting a Band-aid on a cancer. You can't see it any more, but the problem still exists.
Leave the pit bull in the hands of the responsible pet owners who love this breed. Don't punish the people who are responsible pit bull owners.
I am a proud and responsible owner of two loving American Pit Bull Terriers. - Sharon Odekirk, Phoenix