Post by Paul on May 5, 2005 10:32:00 GMT 9.5
The law should put the bite on dog owners first
May 5, 2005
When "Buddy" goes to the local grooming and bathing venue, he whimpers in excitement, laps up the attention and receives compliments from all the staff - a well-mannered gentleman of the dog world who has kissed people's faces, played with dogs a third his size, gets more medical attention at the vet than most people give family, and shows affection to people no matter what their size, background or status. Buddy is an American pit bull terrier.
In my life, I have been chased by dobermans, German shepherds, blue heelers, huskies and the ever-popular Staffie - all dogs capable of doing serious harm. But society's knee-jerk reaction to a press feeding frenzy is to call for the ban of a beautiful species, when the poor animal has likely been mistreated and shown no love ("Cute, cuddly killing machines to be bred out of existence", Herald, May 4).
Accountability is everything in so many areas of our society, so we should make the owners accountable. Don't use one breed of dog as a scapegoat.
Eric Wingate Hamilton
If treated normally in a loving fashion, pit bulls, like any other dogs brought up in a responsible way, are extremely quiet and affectionate towards people and to other animals - I know by experience.
If a dog, including an Alsatian, doberman, mastiff or countless others, turns overly aggressive it is because the irresponsible owner has trained it this way.
It is such owners who should be banned from possessing dogs, pit bulls or any other breed. The issue is not the fault of the dog, and responsible owners should not be deprived of the joys of having such wonderful pets.
Anthony Kent Cherrybrook
Pit bulls maim and kill. So do crocodiles.
Pit bulls contribute nothing to society or the ecology. Neither do crocodiles, aside from the odd handbag and a tiny bit of grotesque tourism. More than that, we are deliberately encouraging crocodiles to breed.
Yet pit bulls are banned while crocodiles are free to roam where they wish.
Madness. Sheer madness.
Bruce Teague Gosford
Pit bulls are like any other dog. The dogs are not the problem - it is the owners and government regulations. Again the Government has decided to play God. More attacks have occurred with the humble mutt. Is it next in line?
The solution for this problem is quite simple. Compulsory dog school training for every dog and its owner until the dog reaches the age of two. Compulsory proper fencing with dog runs for all dogs in every backyard. And control of the number of breeders and the bloodline of the dogs that they are breeding.
Aranza Munoz Chipping Norton
Dogs are not inherently vicious - they are taught to be that way by humans. Banning pit bulls and other "dangerous" breeds will do some good, however the owners are the ones to blame.
If these "dangerous owners" can't buy pit bulls, fighting dogs or tosas, they will buy some other breed (doberman perhaps) and treat them badly and train them to "protect", and the cycle will begin again.
License the owners, not the dogs.
C. Brooks Surry Hills
Pit bulls should be banned - they maim people. If you want a dog that's going to be your loyal friend for life, go no further than the Paws website (www.paws.com.au) then click on "adopt a pound pet". The best dogs I've ever owned were death row dogs. They are grateful to be alive and seem to appreciate that people also enjoy being above ground - unlike pit bulls.
Elizabeth Culpeper Alice Springs (NT)
May 5, 2005
When "Buddy" goes to the local grooming and bathing venue, he whimpers in excitement, laps up the attention and receives compliments from all the staff - a well-mannered gentleman of the dog world who has kissed people's faces, played with dogs a third his size, gets more medical attention at the vet than most people give family, and shows affection to people no matter what their size, background or status. Buddy is an American pit bull terrier.
In my life, I have been chased by dobermans, German shepherds, blue heelers, huskies and the ever-popular Staffie - all dogs capable of doing serious harm. But society's knee-jerk reaction to a press feeding frenzy is to call for the ban of a beautiful species, when the poor animal has likely been mistreated and shown no love ("Cute, cuddly killing machines to be bred out of existence", Herald, May 4).
Accountability is everything in so many areas of our society, so we should make the owners accountable. Don't use one breed of dog as a scapegoat.
Eric Wingate Hamilton
If treated normally in a loving fashion, pit bulls, like any other dogs brought up in a responsible way, are extremely quiet and affectionate towards people and to other animals - I know by experience.
If a dog, including an Alsatian, doberman, mastiff or countless others, turns overly aggressive it is because the irresponsible owner has trained it this way.
It is such owners who should be banned from possessing dogs, pit bulls or any other breed. The issue is not the fault of the dog, and responsible owners should not be deprived of the joys of having such wonderful pets.
Anthony Kent Cherrybrook
Pit bulls maim and kill. So do crocodiles.
Pit bulls contribute nothing to society or the ecology. Neither do crocodiles, aside from the odd handbag and a tiny bit of grotesque tourism. More than that, we are deliberately encouraging crocodiles to breed.
Yet pit bulls are banned while crocodiles are free to roam where they wish.
Madness. Sheer madness.
Bruce Teague Gosford
Pit bulls are like any other dog. The dogs are not the problem - it is the owners and government regulations. Again the Government has decided to play God. More attacks have occurred with the humble mutt. Is it next in line?
The solution for this problem is quite simple. Compulsory dog school training for every dog and its owner until the dog reaches the age of two. Compulsory proper fencing with dog runs for all dogs in every backyard. And control of the number of breeders and the bloodline of the dogs that they are breeding.
Aranza Munoz Chipping Norton
Dogs are not inherently vicious - they are taught to be that way by humans. Banning pit bulls and other "dangerous" breeds will do some good, however the owners are the ones to blame.
If these "dangerous owners" can't buy pit bulls, fighting dogs or tosas, they will buy some other breed (doberman perhaps) and treat them badly and train them to "protect", and the cycle will begin again.
License the owners, not the dogs.
C. Brooks Surry Hills
Pit bulls should be banned - they maim people. If you want a dog that's going to be your loyal friend for life, go no further than the Paws website (www.paws.com.au) then click on "adopt a pound pet". The best dogs I've ever owned were death row dogs. They are grateful to be alive and seem to appreciate that people also enjoy being above ground - unlike pit bulls.
Elizabeth Culpeper Alice Springs (NT)
