The Editor
The Anguillian

RESPONSE: HOW MANY
MORE MUST DIE?

I am writing in response to the letter: How Many More Must Die?

The 3 year old that was killed by dogs is truly a tragedy. However, let us not make a mistake in labeling certain breeds as ferocious dogs.

We must look at all the facts.
I have a Rottweiler and a Yellow Lab. Both are large dogs. I am a responsible pet owner and I do not breed my dogs. They are a part of my family. I also have two children who are now 10 & 8 and who have grown up with these dogs as their dogs.

I grew up with German Shepherds (large dogs) as a part of my family. My father was a police officer and he trained German Shepherds for the police force. These dogs lived in our house and were both our family pets and his work dogs. I always wanted my children to have the same love of dogs, as well as any animal, and to respect them.
My point is that responsible pet owners should not be punished for those who are not responsible. Just like certain breeds should not be labeled as ferocious because of those pet owners who have either neglected their animals or trained them to be used as fighting dogs or mistreated the animals.

Any dog can be ferocious; even the smallest Anguillian dog or dogs. When you have several (3, 4, 5, etc.) They can act with a pack mentality.

We must look at the owners of all animals and ask, are they treating these animals properly? Tying a dog to a tree outside your house and only feeding it the scrapes from your dinner plate is not treating an animal properly. These animals need shelter, dog food and water every day. They also need love and attention.

Government passed the Dog Act, 2001. Where is the dog control officer? Who is checking to see that the people who own dogs have current dog licenses? Who other than AARF is doing anything to control the number of stray animals on Anguilla?

Concerned Resident (Name Withheld)

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