Banning pit bulls

Dear Editor:As a pit bull owner, I greatly disagreed with the letter in your paper last week. ("Pit Bull Ban," Letters to the Editor, 7/18/13) People are misled and not educated enough on these poor dogs that are not at fault for being judged. Any dog will attack another dog or person if they feel threatened or the need to protect. People that abuse these animals to train them to fight are at fault and of course they will attack their owners because they've been abused too long. Just like any circus animal that has attacked in the past. My pit bull is loving, passive and great with kids. She is smart and I can't see her attacking anyone for no reason. I also have small dogs which she is so careful with and so friendly. L. Lopez Downey

Dear Editor: Dan Port has a weak lexicon, at best, and an even weaker understanding of a beautiful breed of dog. His pithy barbs only show his ignorance. Pit bulls are kind and loving pets when they are properly trained. This is the same with any dog. I personally have a miniature dachshund who would rip someone to pieces long before the average pit bull would. Knowing this, and being a good pet parent, I keep her out of public areas where she might act in a way that would bring harm to her or disturb others. There are no bad dogs, only bad owners. Kylie Jo Downey

Dear Editor: I am hoping the Patriot will do an article, including interviews with our city government, on the issue of banning pit bulls in Downey. Many cities have this in effect for the safety of their citizens and it would be a thing of beauty if Downey stepped up to it. I was jumped on by a pit bull five years ago. Thankfully I only experienced a bite and scratch because the owner was present. The stories of pit bull attacks are too many. Rochelle Molina Downey

Dear Editor: About three years ago, two pit bulls on the loose attacked and killed my cat. After being chased off with the water hose by my neighbor, she went into the house to call SEAACA. The dogs came back and were tearing the cat apart. She then turned the hose on them again. A few minutes later the owners showed up to get the dogs. They told my neighbor they would leave their info on my door, which of course they did not. Even though they were followed to their home, SEAACA never did find the dogs. The people in the home moved the dogs somewhere else. I live on Rives Avenue near Furman Park and see three or four pit bulls being walked by their owner and even with other dogs they seem fine. But then there are the three pit bulls being walked that are obviously not under control at all. The owners are being dragged along for the walk. I do believe if you own a pit bull you should have to show that you are in control of your dog. All pit bulls should be spayed or neutered in the city; we don't need backyward breeders selling puppies to just anyone for $50. If you love pit bulls, help protect your breed and other people and animals by asking for change in who can own them. Helen Burns Downey

Dear Editor: My husband and I are the owners of the pit bull who was "attacked" three weeks ago near Stater Bros. I am sorry that he was so traumatized by this incident but I have to disagree regarding a pit bull ban in Downey or elsewhere for that matter. My dog is no danger to him or anyone else. We adopted Gigi from a rescue group a year and a half ago and she has been an excellent pet. She has no history of biting anyone. She was rescued from the streets of downtown L.A. and spent some time with a rescue group until we adopted her and it pains me to think he now wants to ban her from what is probably the only home she has ever known without knowing anything about her or her breed. I would invite anyone who is afraid of pit bulls to meet our Gigi in person and see that she is not a vicious dog - as a matter of fact, she is a great ambassador for her breed. The other dog, Rocky, is not a vicious dog either. My husband was able to pull him off without too much trouble and Rocky did not try to bite him. Gigi did have a small superficial laceration to her ear but it was hardly noticeable by the time the day was over and did not require medical attention. The noise and commotion this caused was much worse than it actually was. I don't blame Rocky or her owner for what happened. I think it could have happened to anyone with any breed as many dogs are aggressive toward other dogs. We did not call the police or SEAACA because it was not necessary and not because both dogs were pit bulls. It is a shame that irresponsible pit bull owners and breeders have caused them to have such a bad reputation but anyone with a pit bull will tell you they make excellent pets and deserve to be loved and appreciated. We have a 9-month-old granddaughter and trust Gigi around her with no problem. Would we turn our back to her? No, but we wouldn't do that no matter the breed. I would invite anyone to visit latham.org and look up an article titled "Justice for Vick-tims" from the spring of 2008. Anyone who considers themselves a true dog lover should educate themselves about them and show these dogs compassion and give them the chance they deserve. You don't have to own a pit bull if you don't want to, but don't add to the hysteria unless you have all the facts. A. Munoz Downey

Dear Editor: I inherited my first pit bull from my son in 1993 when he died. It was not my choice for a dog, but since I'm not in favor of euthanasia for no good reason as when the owner dies, I set about to learn all I could about the breed. The last year of my son's life was spent on my education of this breed. I call it Pit Bull 101. I have seen some careless and irresponsible owners, such as running down the street with owner and no leash, and unneutered males, or sitting in front yards unleashed. I now have my third pit bull adopted from a rescue after losing the previous two when they lived 16 years each. L. Mahaffey Downey

********** Published: July 25, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 15