It's not rocket science, all dogs were originally wild animals, whose basic primal instinct was to feed and protect their family. Thousands of years later, we have every conceivable size and shape of dog.
Now take the pitbull: It was developed for dog fighting, is not registered in kennel clubs and
is considered dangerous. It was bred for staying power and with a strong jaw which refuses to let go when on target.
Some people own them for that very reason, because it makes them, the owner, feel tough and macho. Other people own them, and say they are a wonderful family dog.
However, as we are seeing and hearing every week now, that "wonderful" family dog has the unknown trigger for that basic primal instinct to surface and it attacks, with shocking consequences.
Our society does not need these breeds or associated fighting breeds, whose primal instincts are obviously very close to the surface, and no matter how well they are treated, are still capable of attack at any given moment.
Time surely to ban the importing and breeding of any dog that is bred to fight.
It should be law that once any dog attacks a human being, it is automatically put to sleep. None of this waiting for the owner to give permission.
P M Hunt, Tauranga
