[G778G9P0]

Once again, there has been a dog bite due to a dog running loose in Memphis.... There was a letter to the editor in the Memphis paper, basically saying they would rather face 2 assaliants with guns than 2 pit bulls.. that was it, I had to respond. I tried to be respectful, but my blood was boiling. It's too late to change or edit anything, but here's my letter, you guys can tell me if I was out of line, but I can't retract it now :

In response to letter from Gordon H., Wednesday June 3, 2009, regarding "Vicious dogs left free to attack"

I take offense that everyone assumes that all owners of American Pit Bull Terriers are thugs. I own 2 pit bulls, one I adopted just 3 months ago in Memphis at a Pit Bull Bark in the Park walk at Tom Lee Park. I am a white female, 44 years old, and have worked at the same office for 14 years, in entry administration. Please, educate yourself regarding this breed. While this breed is commonly dog aggressive, human aggression is not normal for this breed, and any dog that exhibits human aggression should be put down. You would rather face 2 armed assailants than two pit bulls?? Seriously, I will take the dogs any day of the week. When properly trained, socialized and owned by a responsible owner, this breed is the best breed there is, however, they should not be owned by just anyone, and I see owners every day that shouldn't own a gold fish, let alone a dog of any breed. I cringe every time I hear a story of any dog biting a person, regardless of the breed, and my first thought
is, "Irresponsible owner" not "vicious dog". The owners should be held accountable. A dog will only be as well behaved as it's been trained to be. I adopted a 4 month old pit bull puppy in March, and so far, I have invested $240 in training classes for her, and she still has 2 more classes to go before she will earn her Canine Good Citizen award. I plan to train her for the rest of her life, because I am a responsible owner and I want to show the public this breed in a positive light. They are not the baby killers that the media portrays them to be. In all honesty, I would trust my pit bulls around any child before I would my Shih Tzu, because my Shih Tzu will try to bite anyone that attempts to pick him up. However, I am not irresponsible enough that I would ever leave my dogs unattended, with anyone, and they are never outside alone. I installed a $3000.00 fence to give them a place to run, and I live in the country on 25 acres. Anytime my dogs are not inside that fence, they are on a leash, and never roam the streets, even the country roads. Please get educated on this breed, banning a certain breed of dog only gives the public a false sense of security. Hold the owners of the dog, regardless of the breed, responsible. Stricter spay/neuter laws should be in force, and all the back yard breeders selling pups just to make a buck, should be shut down. While I hate that this person was injured, I hold the owners of the dogs responsible, even more so than the dogs. The leash laws should be strictly enforced, and those that break the leash laws should be held accountable. For correct information regarding this, and any bully breed, please visit Bad Rap : Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit bulls, Pit Bull Chat: A Pet Pit Bull Community , or locally in Memphis, Pawsitive PitBulls. There are many myths about this breed, namely that they have "locking jaws" and that they are baby killers, that are simply not true. When raised by a responsible owner, this breed, like many breeds, are an awesome breed. Just like any breathing animal, when raised properly, by someone that is responsible, these are great dogs. One of the main problems in any city, is that the leash laws are not enforced, and the back yard puppy mills are doing a booming business, one glance over the ads in the daily paper will prove that. The number one first thing that should be enforced is holding the owners responsible, and enforcing the leash laws. Until the owners are held accountable, there will continue to be a problem with dog bites, regardless of the breed.

[AlexBolduin]

Good letter MN

[inofindy]

Sounds good to me!!!

[G778G9P0]

Thanks Jeo and Megs... they just called to verify that I wanted to publish my letter. I'm sure most of it will end up on the chopping block, but if any of it gets published, I'll be glad.

[PRengin]

Thanks Jeo and Megs... they just called to verify that I wanted to publish my letter. I'm sure most of it will end up on the chopping block, but if any of it gets published, I'll be glad.

FABULOUS!!! Let us know when it makes it into print! LOVE IT!!

[popillio]

Very well written - you weren't rude or over the line at all.

[outfinofulpv]

Great Letter. very well written,I would not have been so cool.

[AlexBolduin]

Thanks Jeo and Megs... they just called to verify that I wanted to publish my letter. I'm sure most of it will end up on the chopping block, but if any of it gets published, I'll be glad.

That is wonderful!!

[frkksptn]

Great letter. I will contact you if I need something written. I suck at those types of things.

[FUNALA]

make sure they send a copy to all cities

[Oxzzlvpg]

FANTASTIC LETTER!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!! I hope it reaches just one ignorant idiot and makes them think twice!

[trettegeani]

Wow Nana !! Great letter I'm impressed !!!
You've been playing "Paris" with us haven't you ?

[Psymoussy]

GREAT letter MN. Way to set em' straight.

[sleepergun]

Great, well written letter MN!

[Sarah Armstrong]

Sounds good. Not pissy at all.

[12dargernswearf]

May I play devils advocate for a second? I read the pce and I tried to put myself as an outsider and totally an ignoramus
any dog that exhibits human aggression should be put down my Shih Tzu will try to bite anyone that attempts to pick him up. to me this sounds as if your shih tzu should be put down if it would bite someone just for picking him up.
which some who read the article will be, an ignoramus not a shihtzu

okay now I'm back, I thought the pce was well said.

[Janny2006]

Impressive to say the least! Great letter!

[Hrennilasi]

Great letter MN. Very well written and very tactful.

[prmwsinfo]

Good job MN!!!!

[Saad Khan]

That was very well written...kudos! Now if we could have something put into the water all over the world to make everyone feel the love for pibbles!