Editor: I have just finished reading the letter from Dr. Aimee Chagnon, and feel the need to have my thoughts pondered on the subject of Pit Bulls in Sonoma.
I am not a doctor. I do hope this will not make my opinion any less valid. I do live in Sonoma, and am frequently outdoors enjoying our fine town. I have fallen in love with my bicycle and over the last six months, have ridden all over to do simple errands. I see all kinds of dogs walking their humans, and it makes me smile when I come across a friendly pooch and owner.
I have never owned a Pit Bull. I do have friends that have had them. They can be sweet, and are very loyal. Over my lifetime, I have lived with purebred and/or mixed breeds of the following: Cocker Spaniel, Poodle, Golden Retriever, Labrador, Dachshund, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Chihuahua, Border Collie, Miniature Pinscher, Australian Shepherd and Great Dane. Some are breeds that are on the Banned/Bite List that a lot of Communities use. If I must say so myself (tooting my own horn makes me very uncomfortable), I do know dogs. Many dog breeds were created to do a specific task/work, long before society decided to keep them as “pets.”
The Pit Bull and it’s many names/types, were bred for one purpose only. They were originally bred to be bait animals. It is in their genetics and anatomy to attack, lock onto their victim and no matter what, to not let go.
I am reasonably sure that Dr. Chagnon cannot deny the Pit Bull’s genetics and anatomy. There is also nature versus nurture. Although I was not present to witness the killing of the pregnant lady in Pacifica, what I learned from the media reports, it was a family pet. He was NOT bred to fight, but he had not been neutered.
The answer to this ongoing issue that the politicians of Sonoma must face, is fairly simple. I do not want to see Pit Bulls banned. What I would like to see happen is this: owners of Pit Bulls and any dog that is on the Banned Breed/Bite List (purebred or mixed with) MUST leash and muzzle their dogs when they take them out in public. Owners of these breeds must act responsibly and respect their dogs’ natural abilities. After all they are animals, which makes them unpredictable.
Are you willing to do this, Dr. Chagnon? If so, only then can you 99.9 percent guarantee that your sweet Pit Bull girl will not harm anyone or anything.
Therese Kiel
Sonoma
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