BRATTLEBORO — Please allow me to comment on Phil Innes's June 15 article on pit bulls and dogs in general [“The pit bull quandary,” Viewpoint, June 13].
There are so many people these days who love the idea of owning a big, beautiful canine with little awareness of the commitment and consistency required in owning such a pet.
Pure breeds, and pure-breed mixes, such as pit bulls, rottweilers, dobermans, and German shepherds to name a few, particularly need proper training and discipline because they have been specifically bred for defense and protection.
Their brute strength alone requires that the owner have full control over such dogs, requiring training for both the owner and the dog.
I support the idea of requirements and even regulations to protect both the public and the animals themselves.
These dogs are simply following their instincts. They are “pack” animals who have an innate understanding of “chain of command.” In fact, they welcome it.
When such dogs get the clear message (non-aggressively) that their owner is in charge, they are quick to comply.
What is really sad is the small population of people who deliberately raise their animals to be aggressive. That is animal cruelty in itself.
A lot of the problem, however, is owners simply knowing neither how to show healthy dominance over their animal nor having the willingness to commit the time and consistency required.
These breeds of dog have traditionally been used in law enforcement and combat. There are as many stories of such dogs' acts of heroism and self-sacrifice as there are of their brutality. They have dragged their human comrades in battle to safety. They've even put themselves in the line of fire to protect their unit of soldiers.
A recent story of a pit bull particularly moves me.
A couple of years ago, this dog crawled up the stairs avoiding billowing smoke of a fire. The dog was able to clutch a baby bassinet, then drag it down the stairs, kick open the back door and, to the amazement of the hysterical parents and fire department, deliver a two-week-old baby safely into the arms of his parents.
There are hundreds of similar stories.
We all have a responsibility for the welfare and humane treatment of our fellow domestic and wild creatures. The human race has coexisted and used animals for our own purposes for thousands of years.
Animal Control, local police, the Humane Society, and state fish and wildlife departments need to work as an open system in fulfilling their assigned roles to protect and help these animals in a humane way. It is also dog owners' responsibility to make the commitment and to take the time to learn and enforce proper discipline with their pets.
It's all our responsibility to report to local authorities any cruel or other inappropriate behavior toward an animal.Those organizations and agencies have a responsibility to respond in a human and knowledgeable way.
We as a society owe it to these creatures, as well as for our own safety.