Pit bulls are not people-haters

Dear Editor,

I refer to the letter by Geralda Dennison published in Stabroek News (29.5.08) captioned, ‘Why have pit bulls which have injured people not been put down?’

I empathize with the victims of these attacks, however, I strongly reject the notion expressed by Ms Dennison that these dogs should be put down. If Ms Dennison and everyone else that supports her views spent some amount of time researching these dogs they would know that pit bulls have a strong pleasure to please, and they evoke more emotional, rational, and irrational responses than any other breed that exists today.  By no means are these dogs’ people-haters or people-eaters. Their natural aggressive tendencies are towards other dogs and animals, not people. However, if they are properly socialized they will not even be aggressive with them. Pit bulls are good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal and affectionate family pets, which are good with children and adults. Almost always obedient, they are always eager to please their master.  
My suggestion for these dogs that have inflicted injures on people is to have them removed immediately from their irresponsible owners and be put up for adoption by the GSPCA. The owners should be prosecuted by law.

Yours faithfully,
Walter Narine