Subj : Cop shoots dog
To   : ALL
From : WAYNE CHIRNSIDE
Date : Mon Oct 02 2000 05:38 am

 * Originally in: DOGHOUSE

Just reported in Saint Petersburg FL.
Saint Petersburg police officer shoots pit bull he claims
was running towards him in a threatening manner.
This dog was being walked off lead as was its owners practice
when it was shot dead.
I am dismayed, I walk my pit bull off lead these last 7 years
and as I went out of my way to socialize him to people as he often
runs up to people. With the exception of one family in the
neighborhood of whom every member is terrified of dogs everyone
on my route love my pit bull, know him by name and pet him.
Why do I suspect the cop of impropriety, well a cop once approached
me in my own yard and threatened to shoot my dog, also Saint Petersburg,
and I had the dog on a lead in that unusual circumstance.
Heck, my pit bull likes cats, kittens and is absolutely the friendliest
dog I've ever met. There is NO difference between pit bulls
and other breeds except they were bred to be physically tougher to
bait bulls, hunt boar and fight, it was people who bred them for 
these -physical- characteristics. Mentally and tempermentally 
a pit bull s no different than any other dog and properly socialized
and demonstrated that the owner is the alpha pack leader they are
gentle, loyal, intelligent and loving animals. People today
who seek out this breed largely do so for the same reason people
bred this breed for toughness and it's irresponsible people
who are to blame for dog attacks regardless of breed.
Unfortunately many of those drawn to pit bulls are either largely
ignorant of what it takes to properly train any canine or
are drawn to that breed because they WANT an aggressive dog and
so train them. Any cop that shoots my dog without cause will next
be positioned to shoot me. My Pit Bull has been disciplined
four times in 7 years, three times for stepping into the street
with traffic present and once for getting into the trash pail.
Punishment consists of BAD DOG in a loud  stern tone staring
him straight in the eye whereupon the dog promptly hides behind the
recliner until I let him off the hook a half hour later.
Spanky has not gotten into the trash since I disciplined him that
once some six years ago.
I've never met any creature more reliable, trustworthy, responsible
and obedient than my Pit Bull as I raised this dog to behave in order
to receive praise for good behavior.
 
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