Los Angeles Times

How to handle dangerous dogs

-

Re “It was just a lovely morning walk with the dog — until the attack,” Opinion, Sept. 20

Nicholas Weinstock is not a wimp or an idiot for declining to have the two large dogs that attacked his dog put down. He’s just morally irresponsi­ble, as are those dogs’ owners.

Weinstock admits that before the attack he had seen the pit bulls pounding on their windows and at other times “held fast by their burly male owner as they snarled and lunged.” This should have prompted a call to animal control to ensure these animals hadn’t attacked before.

Aggressive dogs of any breed that are not exercised regularly will find a way to escape. They can be dangerous while being walked even if the owner thinks they are “secured.”

The pit bulls’ owners made a good decision to rescue, but they need to face the truth: Unfortunat­ely, sometimes canine euthanasia is the only answer. Georgette Ganter

Redondo Beach

As a dog owner, I sympathize with the author and his poor pup. However, why was it necessary to identify the attacking dogs as pit bulls?

According to the National Canine Research Council, in only 18% of dog bite cases is it possible to make a valid determinat­ion of breed.

What’s the point of mentioning pit bulls if you don’t want to instill more fear and create more negative opinions of this misunderst­ood breed?

Haiyang Zhang Culver City

Thank you for Weinstock’s beautifull­y written story. It has affected me deeply.

It’s difficult for me to get past my desire for revenge on those I see as leading our country down a terrible path. The only way I’ve been able to comprehend the working- class adoration of President Trump is to understand that they love him because he attacks their enemies and exacts revenge on their behalf.

Weinstock’s simple, quiet dignity in not demanding the dogs be euthanized delivers a profound message: Our challenges can be our greatest blessings if we don’t give in to fear and loathing.

John Bauman Los Angeles

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States