Letter to the Editor

Pit bulls running loose at local park

Friday, March 19, 2010

Dear Editor,

I have walked dogs for years at both parks in Nevada. Many dog lovers take their dogs to these parks and it has been without incident. Since Nevada does not have a leash law, many dog owners find this convenient for their dogs to enjoy their time at the park. Most owners will always attach a leash if they see other dogs approaching for safety purposes.

However, Wednesday afternoon, March 10, I had taken my two little dogs for a walk at Walton Park. From a distance I noticed two large, unleashed dogs and thought the owners would be placing a leash on them. As they got closer, I noticed this was not the case.

I placed one of my dogs on a leash; the other one in my arms. Suddenly, this dog was upon us, and I noted it was a pit bull. I frantically yelled at the owner to get that dog away from me now. I have seen too many Judge Joe Brown cases where pit bulls attack, usually killing smaller animals, and/or attacking the individual trying to fight for their animal. (By the way, Judge Joe Brown calls these dogs "psycho" dogs). I was frantic to say the least. Suddenly, the other pit bull ran up to me. I was screaming by now "get those dogs away from me, NOW!"

They did not have collars on and the owners had to grab them by the skin to get them under their control.

Yes, this may offend some pit bull owners, but oh well. I would rather offend them than see my little dogs attacked.

I had a neighbor who loved pit bulls. However, she had enough common sense to not let her dogs run loose. Sad to say, one of her pit bulls attacked her smaller dog (in the same house), and she had to have it put down. She, like many other owners of pit bulls never thought that her dog would attack her little dog when they lived under the same roof, but it did.

One never knows when a pit bull is going to attack (regardless of all owners stating their pit bulls are "gentle." Please!)

As stated, many dog owners walk their dogs at the park. If you are a pit bull owner and choose to let your dogs run at the park, please be responsible enough to at least place a muzzle on them for the safety of other dogs and individuals. Yes, they may be "gentle" to you, and perhaps they are; however, many of us do not want to take that chance of pit bulls running loose, without a collar, leash or muzzle.

Voice control will do no good once the fight is on, and the end result many times is death to the other dogs or being seriously maimed for the rest of their lives. These types of dogs are considered dangerous and should be under an owner's physical control at all times, or, as stated, make sure they have a muzzle on. This is responsibility on the part of the owner, as well as for the safety of others at the park.

It is rather sad for a 63-year-old grandmother to have to now resort to the option of what safety measures to take in order to go to the local parks, and feel safe when walking her dogs. I am sure I speak for many others.

Virginia Harris

Nevada