Dear Editor,
Pit Bulls were dogs originally bred to fight in pits. Research on Wikipedia has cited a history of Pit Bull attacks involving the mauling and killing of umpteen people as well as animals like horses and sheep. Their ferocity is second to none, with more than 80% of reported dog attacks being by Pit Bulls followed by Rottweilers.
This brings me to the just concluded court case presided over by Magistrate Oneidge Walrond-Allicock where she ordered a Pit Bull destroyed. I agree with Oliver Insanally (Sunday Stabroek, June 22, 2008, page 9) that the decision was handed down based on the law, adding that when he first read of the case in the Stabroek News he was not at all surprised as he suspected that some day this would have been the way such cases before the court would go. However, I am at variance with him on the point that before a Pit Bull is considered dangerous and uncontrollable it should be evaluated by a veterinarian. I would posit that judgment was made based on the evidence produced in court and there was no need for a veterinarian to give an evaluation. The photos of the wounds were too graphic for publication by any of the news media.
I am further at variance with the GSPCA statement, “While we all justifiably feel outraged at these recent dog attacks…[the] measures taken to address this problem should not be based purely on this emotion but should come from a more holistic approach.” After the dogs launched their vicious attack causing me to be hospitalized, the police at the East La Penitence police station requested assistance from the GSPCA to take custody of the dogs, but they refused stating that there was no court order to that effect; as a result the dogs were never taken into custody. Now they speak; this is double standards.
The magistrate’s ruling was reasonable and equitable given the objective reality before her. There was testimony from several witnesses, the medical report and the virtual destruction of my right hand. I have had to undergo four surgeries and still suffer from numbness and pain due to severe nerve injuries to both hands, the dislocation of the right wrist and shoulder, unnecessary scars and keloid tissues that can often become cancerous. I am left with permanent injuries and disabilities, but if by some miracle Pit Bull owners could be successful in getting a review of the court’s decision, this would compromise our laws to appease a few proponents.
A final warning, please do not play Russian roulette with our little children; Pit Bulls are at large!
Yours faithfully,
Lennox Wade (Papa B)
The decision by the magistrate was too harsh and without proper professional advice. The magistrate ruled based on the law. The dogs should not be euthanised at this time until advised by the GSPCA and veteranarians who can evaluate the dogs for compliance with human cohabitation. If they ‘re found to be uncontrollable, then yes euthanise them, but if they are controllable then they should be given back to the owners and the owners made to pay you for your injuries and inconvenience.
The theory that Pit bulls being responsible for 80% of dog attacks should not be put out here to create an outlook that is SOOOO large, simply because people own Pitbull dogs more than any other dog breed. How many German Shepherds or Doberman Pinchers or Chows or Rottweilers are there in Guyana compared to Pitbulls? If Pits are the MOST popular then of course they’ll be doing more biting. To make it easier, when last you heard a Greyhound or a Bulldog or Dalmation attacked anyone in GT…never, because there are none and so their percent is zero.
I feel very sympathetic to your plight , pain and suffering Mr. Wade, don’t get me wrong, but this is about the decision on the dogs’ lives that I feel the magistrate should have sought before making her decision. Dr. Nicholas McLean (hey Nick, what’s up?) did also suggest that the dogs be analysed and the law should be amended to include an insurance policy for owners to possess for the sake of victims. That is an example of professional advice for the Hon. Magistrate. I added to that by saying “to INNOCENT victims” (like you)…not necessarily ‘victims’. Hope you feel better soon and your hands can be functional again.
The same vigour the magistrate use to order the distruction of these dogs, same way they should order the hanging of those on the condem in jail, It was easy for her to cast judgement on the animals but r yet afraid to sentence hard core criminals to jail and putting dem on bail to come and hurt ppl. I think the owner should be punished but leave the dogs alone, if they were properly secured i doubt they would have been capable of attacking passerbys, so leave the dog ALONE and deal with the owner, i think all dog loving persons should speak out against this decision and shame on those at the animal protection place who endorsed this decision and claiming to be protector of dumb animals.Who do u think is most dangerous? A pit bull in a secure environment or a criminal with a 9mm in hand?
For people interested in learning about the dogs known as “Pit Bulls”,the best factual site is
http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/section.php?id=5
Can you identify a Pit Bull?
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v4.swf
Another excellent site is
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/default.asp
Highly recommend this Book
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0972191410/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link
We don’t want all this info on Pit bulls, bung-bung’s last statement says it all, answer that.
as well as the pit bulls some owners are as bad as them. they should jail those owers as well.
I agree completely with Mr Wade. The magistrate’s decision was correct.
Yes, of course the owner(s) is/are to blame, but at the end of the day it is the dogs that are causing these horrific injuries and not the people. The rights of victims and potential victims should take precedence over any rights that dogs have.
……. both the dogs and the owners should be sentenced ,, or put the owner and the dogs to live in a room for ,,, let’s see,,,, hmmmmm,,, perhaps a month ,, or until the dogs maul him ! this would be a text book example of ” how not to “……
for others who wish to be seen as dog ” lovers “……
Here in the USA Mr. Wade would have had recourse in the courts to compensate him adequately for his massive injuries. In Guyana he gets nothing.
Joe.
Why, because those of us less-informed will get to understand the real truth about these vicious animals, the ones that you so dearly love?