The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Letters

September 26, 2006

People need more protection from dangerous dogs

Alissa A. Wasser

Pittsburgh



This is with regard to Joey Porter’s dogs getting out and killing his neighbor’s miniature horse. I am disgusted how there is more accountability enforced by our state government to penalize those whose dogs kill or attack an animal and to compensate the victims than when they almost kill a human being.

Having been the victim of a pit bull mauling in West Middlesex, I have tried my best to remain objective about specific breeds and attacks associated with them, although I have been more than entitled not to be.  I am still recovering from the injuries sustained well over a month ago and was infuriated when I read this story.

The bottom line here is people take on a risk owning these types of dogs.  

I am sure Joey Porter will take care of the damages but even the state is in the position to compensate these people (there is a fund that will compensate owners of livestock killed in dog attacks up to $10,000).

I wonder what would have been done for my son and the rest of my family and friends had “the dog” grabbed me by the neck one-eighth inch closer to a major artery.

Porter should be relieved it was a miniature horse and not a child or a person.

Don’t blame the breed? It’s time for objectivity to be thrown out the window and get our legislature to enforce liability for these dog owners to hold insurance for their animals so that the state doesn’t foot the bill.

It’s a slap in my face as a taxpayer and victim of a pit bull attack to know that my tax dollars have something to do with a fund set aside to pay for something like this. We need to write letters to our representatives and push for legislation to protect and advocate for victims of dog attacks and require owners of specific breeds to hold insurance on their animals.  

Text Only
Letters