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Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
Letter: Not surprising
Editor: It's not surprising that Max, the pit bull who tragically mauled and killed 17-month-old Colton Smith, was not neutered and had been kept tethered ("Experts blame owners for dog attacks; maulings have run across a mix of breeds, statistics reveal," Wednesday in the Sun-Star).
Dogs that haven't been sterilized tend to be more territorial and more aggressive, making them three times more likely to bite than sterilized dogs. Chained dogs are often unsocialized and overly protective of their tiny patch of dirt, making them nearly three times as likely to attack as those not tethered, according to a Centers for Disease Control study.
And while pit bulls can be some of the sweetest dogs I interact with at the animal shelter where I volunteer, they are also the breed of choice for dogfighters and people who chain, beat and starve them to turn them into cheap alarm systems or living weapons -- which can make them more likely to bite.
Let's hope this tragedy motivates people to prevent future dog attacks by reporting cruelty, having their dogs spayed or neutered, and bringing their dogs indoors and making them part of the family--never chaining them. To learn more, visit www.HelpingAnimals.com.
LINDSAY POLLARD-POST
research specialist, PETA
Norfolk, Va.
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