Lessons of Canine Killing

The death of a slight San Francisco woman mauled by two massive dogs teaches such obvious lessons: Killer dogs bred for size and ferocity have no practical purpose and should be banned, their owners held responsible for any damage they do. Why does it take a nightmare attack for the message to be heard?

Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old college lacrosse coach, was trying to unlock the door of her Pacific Heights apartment Friday when her neighbor’s dogs, an English mastiff crossbreed and a purebred Canary Island dog, each weighing more than 100 pounds, ripped at her while their owner failed to get them under control. Whipple’s injuries were horrific, her death certain.

The dogs have been linked to prison inmates, members of the Aryan Brotherhood, who allegedly controlled Dogs of War, a nascent breeding enterprise, out of Pelican Bay State Prison in Northern California. The dogs’ current owners, Marjorie Knoller and her husband, Robert Noel, both attorneys, were enmeshed with one of the prisoners. They surely understood the ferocity of at least the larger dog, given its apparent history of viciousness. Yet they kept these two large animals in a one-bedroom apartment. Prosecutors should do all they can to hold the couple legally responsible.

Los Angeles has seen its own canine plague--vicious pit bulls and wild strays. In South Los Angeles, a 14-month-old boy was fatally mauled by the family’s pit bull in 1999. More recently, numerous children in Los Angeles and Orange counties have been injured by family pets. No one wants to wait for another fatal attack, whether by a stray or a pet. Policing dogs in Los Angeles will require a more responsive animal control operation with more staff, shelters, equipment and resources. This is largely up to the City Council, though animal control will also get facilities funding from Measure F, passed by city voters last year. More vicious dogs might be reported before they do harm if people felt there would be a response.

Some of the burden falls on the state Legislature, which should consider statewide bans at least on certain large crossbreeds. Breeders of purebreds with high bite rates should pay a handsome premium for their licenses. Abusive training intended to turn puppies into threats should be criminally punished.

Dogs can be healers, guides, gentle protectors. Through genetics and poor treatment, they can also become killers. Pet owners should acknowledge the difference and join in efforts to reduce aggressive breeds, especially in cities.