Why do people still keep pit bulls as pets?

ANOTHER pit bull attack and another life lost needlessly.

Just hours before her 10th birthday, Gemma Madden was mauled to death by a pit bull appropriately named after the libertine Roman Emperor Nero, who murdered his own mother (Pit bull kills little girl, Daily News, August 1).

There have been numerous reports by the Daily News on vicious attacks by dogs, yet people still keep such dangerous animals in their homes as pets. Pampered and spoilt with the best pet food money can buy, these unpredictable dogs often become killing machines, attacking innocent people, and even turning on the very people who love them. For the life of me, I cannot understand why on earth people keep such dangerous animals in their homes.

Yet they are the first ones to rage about the high crime rate in our country. During Diwali, the papers get inundated with letters complaining about noisy fireworks and how they terrify their pets. How terrified little Gemma must have felt when the pet dog suddenly pounced on her, mauling her to death? I am outraged by this needless loss of innocent life. How devastated must the parents be?

Of course we will hear the same explanation: he was such a wonderful, loving dog.

We live in a violent society. Criminals stalk us everywhere. We don’t need dangerous pets stalking us in our homes.

Surely the love for animals does not supersede the sanctity of human life? T MARKANDAN

Silverglen