Responsibility for Dog Attacks

Re “Dog Victim’s Passion for Games, Life Recalled,” Feb. 2: While I agree there are many factors that can lead to big dogs maiming or killing innocent people, the real lesson in the recent tragedy with Bane, the killer dog, is that any dog, however small, can inflict serious harm to its master or other persons. A dog suffering pain, fear or other shock may lash out in primitive fashion, with his fangs leading the attack.

This truth was brought home to our house when our unfailingly docile West Highland white terrier got his hind toenail caught in a grate, and in the process of trying to aid him, my wife was severely bitten in the face. All persons who have dogs should be aware of the danger of any dog in a distressed state, not just killer dogs.

WILLIAM K. SOLBERG

Los Angeles

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I am so glad that you included Matthew Margolis’ article, “Banning Breeds Won’t Prevent Killer Dogs” (Commentary, Feb. 4). I am furious that the dogs are being blamed, instead of the owners, for the human injuries and deaths we see on the news. I totally agree with the author’s statement, “Aggressive behavior in dogs is not a dog problem. It is a people problem.” I wish the public would wake up. It wouldn’t hurt if the media stopped hyping the danger of particular breeds. Maybe there will be laws one day that punish the irresponsible owners instead of the dogs.

DEEDEE DILLINGHAM

Lakewood

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Margolis’ utopian world of asking everyone to raise their dogs responsibly is as effective as telling an alcoholic or drug addict to just say “no.” He fails to acknowledge that certain breeds (mastiff, Rottweiler, Doberman and pit bull, to name at least four) have been specifically bred for generations to be horrendously aggressive. All dogs bite, but these breeds try to kill you. Sanity mandates the banning of these breeds now. We should not have to live this way.

STEVEN ODELL

Huntington Beach

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Re Robert Noel’s contention that Diane Whipple could have saved herself by closing her door (Feb. 5): After I rubbed my eyes and cleaned my reading glasses, the only thing left to do was to verify that the date of the newspaper didn’t say April 1.

NORA BARSUK

Glendale