Letter: Rescue pit bulls by controlling them

The measures proposed are intended to help the breed recover. That involves taking the breed away from the miserable cretans who use it to threaten the public.

First of all, we do not need help alleviating people's fear of pit bulls any more than we need help being less afraid of fire alarms sounding off. We need help alleviating the actual problem.

Next, there is a difference between dogs that bite and dogs that kill. Lots of breeds are aggressive enough to bite, but they do not go on to kill. Blurring the type of danger that pit bulls pose with other less-lethal dangers is called muddying the water. Pit bulls stand alone in their lethality. Given their single-purpose breeding, that makes sense.

I have three dogs totalling 200 pounds of dog altogether. I am appalled at how stupid people are about their breed and training. As a result, the bad choices and poor ways of training has lethal consequences. You never hear about a badly trained beagle killing anyone. This is the distinction reserved for pit bulls. Pit bulls are distinctive even in their play: They go for the throat immediately and frequently get triggered into an attack even when it started out as play. The owner has to be vigilant. This is not your average dog.

I am appalled that the most ignorant, dangerous people are attracted to and granted the most dangerous breed. People who are attracted to a breed because of the dog's lethality not despite it are dangerous people. We need to take away their weapon of choice.

Every time an attack happens, the reputation of all dogs suffer. Boys used to be able to play with their family pet in the park. But because of a few selfish, pathological bullies, all dogs have lost that freedom. When no dangerous pit bulls are allowed to breed, pit bulls too will benefit.

We need to rescue the breed. You are not helping.

Theresa Vander Horn

Foster City