Dear Editor,
Your report ‘Pitbulls maul, disfigure plumber’ refers (SN, August 27). This is not the first incident of its kind and it will not be the last if some owners choose to continue to promote the fighting instinct in the breed to keep them fierce. This method of training is harsh and contributes to aggressive behaviour which can lead to vicious attacks on people if the dogs are not restrained.
Dogs develop bad habits due to boredom, anxiety, lack of exercise, no interaction with owners and frustration – all of which reflect neglect of care and concern by some owners. Pitbulls are headstrong but are eager to learn, are willing to please and will be obedient to their owners like every other breed of dog if they are trained.
Owners should walk their pitbull on a strong leash in order to manage and control behaviour towards pedestrians and cyclists.
By giving the leash a pull and a tug when the dog seems aggressive, and speaking firmly when training him in good behaviour, he will be shown who the leader is. Training will produce an obedient dog knowing certain habits such as how to ignore the good people and how to deal with intruders.
Some of Michael Vick’s pit bulls rescued from the clutches of torture and fighting rings have been rehabilitated and adopted in homes where families interact with their chum fear free. Does that not tell us that pitbulls are not the problem, but become a problem as a result of some people’s instilling of aggression in them?
This ties the breed to the stigma of being dangerous. Sadly, the breed is condemned and sentenced to be destroyed while the owners are guilty of being insensitive and uncaring.
Pitbulls are suitable for owners who take the time to train the character of the breed while the dogs are puppies, and who control the growing stages. For the most part, their temperament is controlled with guidance, but they are only recommended for people who give them direction in good behaviour.
Some people undertake the ownership of pitbulls without any knowledge, and in the belief that only pitbulls can give them protection. At the same time they disregard the safety of passers-by.
It would be helpful if the GSPCA had a brief TV public notice about these issues.
Yours faithfully,
Zenobia Williams
