Doesn’t like way pitt bulls are portrayed

Published 11:10 pm Saturday, April 7, 2007

I am writing in response to the latest attacks on pit bulls in the city limits. Although I live in Clarke county and this ban wouldn’t personally affect me on that stand point, I do take issue to the way that the pit bull is being portrayed. I am an owner of a beautiful, intelligent, loving pit bull, who is also protective and loyal, as is the nature of this animal. I have never felt threatened by my dog, or the least bit afraid of her attacking anyone who comes into our home; however, I am not a fool. I understand the power of this breed of dog, and as a responsible pet owner I take good care of my dog. My husband and I worked very hard when she was a puppy to make sure that she was around many people and animals and didn’t display any aggressive behavior that could result in harm to anyone or anything, most especially our precious 2-year-old son. She even plays and even naps with our cat, without EVER, in over 3 years now, hurting her. I do admit that I have a spoiled rotten pit bull who sleeps in the bed with us every night and who lives to be cuddled and loved on … but I also have a happy dog who is not tied outside on a logging chain and receiving no human connection other than the occasional feeding and the occasional walk to wherever she’s going to be illegally fought next.

What you are dealing with in Meridian and across the country is NOT a vicious animal that was born to kill … you are dealing with IGNORANT pet owners who were born too stupid and uncaring to take care of their animals and shouldn’t be in charge of a fish, much less a pit bull. You are dealing with people who own these dogs not for the companionship, but for the simple notoriety of the breed. Now the knee-jerk reaction is to ban all pit bulls … yeah, that’s effective! As soon as the pit bulls are banned, the same hideous people who were mistreating and using the pits will move on to rottweilers or dobermans or anything else they can torture and abuse into being something violent they can show off to other small minded individuals without the sense to understand that this whole process is just warped! If the council finds that banning pit bulls is the only way to go, then they are mistaken … and they will be right back at the same point in the future, only with a new “vicious” animal. Let’s ban the irresponsible owners and not punish an entire breed — a breed which happens to be amazingly smart and, just like any other dog, only wants to be cared for and loved.

As I said, I don’t live in the city, so my voice on this matter may not be heard. I will just sit and not-so-silently fume every time someone calls my dog “vicious” and tells me how she should be banned. Then I’ll go home and a 50 pound pit bull will climb in my lap to be hugged and petted and I’ll know the truth: this dog isn’t vicious … but some people sure are!



Heather Hatcher

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