The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS:
People at risk from aggressive dogs
Pitbulls should not be in town.
People who own them should have a licence and should have a few professional trainers to help them.
Their aggressive nature is in their breed and people are at risk, especially if they get out of the property.
Also a lot of people do not know how to keep the dog under control properly. There has been a long record of pitbull attacks, a lot in town.
Something needs to happen with this situation.
Alana Davies, Te Puke
Owners' rights
I have a few things in common with Martin Rowley, but I disagree entirely with his recent letter (BOP Times, May 28).
Let's start with the things in common: I am also an animal lover. I also have very strong views on pitbull terriers and other dangerous breeds, but it is here that our opinions differ.
Martin is of the "what's the government/council going to do about it" brigade.
The ones who see no solution to anything unless council/government force them upon its subjects.
I have a very strong views on freedom and the rights of the individual - both of which Martin would deny others because of his views.
Those who choose to own dangerous breeds should be made fully accountable for the actions of these animals.
Those who sell them should be made accountable to whom they sell them to, ensuring these people have sufficient means to secure them, and insurance to cover them for any accidents - ie dogs escaping and attacking people etc.
I dislike these breeds as much as Martin, but I value people's freedom and rights considerably more, and the banning or destruction of people's rights is a far worse crime (although more common) than a dog attack.
Graham Clark, Lower Kaimai
Stupid stunt
The planking stunt on the railway line was stupid especially down there on The Strand.
As a former resident of Katikati, who now lives in Queensland, I now drive trains for a living and seeing someone on the track from my perspective is not nice.
We have the worst road crossing in Queensland on one of the tracks I drive and I have come around the corner and seen vehicles sitting in the middle of the track on that particular crossing.
The trains I drive can be as long as 1.7km and up to 10,500 tons.
They take up to 1km to stop on a good day.
All we can do in that situation is apply our emergency brakes and not look.
There is a time and place for ideas like planking but a railway is not one of them.
Kelly Evans-McLeod, Queensland, Australia
Not even news
Re Let's get over this planking stupidity (Our View, May 7)
This planking directly links to the debate are we overprotecting our kids?
Take the concept of planking, all it is, is a person lies as flat as a plank, and whoever comes up with the most creative, or inconceivable, wins.
The front page article claiming planking on a railway line is a "crazy stunt" and "extremely dangerous" really made me agree that the world has succumbed to huge onset of paranoia.
Planking is really about creativeness and taking the mickey.
Many people blame planking and label it "stupid and dangerous" but how dangerous is lying down as a plank? To put it bluntly, I find it ridiculous that this is even making news.
Surely underage drinking, drugs, gangs and the like is more dangerous than this craze. Children these days aren't allowed to enjoy and express themselves when they are being restricted on such an extreme level.
Michael Clark, Welcome Bay
Hospital thanks
I'm a 57-year-old German and I was in Tauranga Hospital from May 14 to May 20. It was an emergency treatment due to a bacterial infection.
I would like to say thanks to the whole staff from the emergency crew who treated me first when I arrived in a very bad condition and to all the doctors and nurses of ward 3A and 3B. Without their help I would have died.
All the doctors are very close to their patients. All the nurses (including the catering staff) were very professional, friendly and helpful. I can really recommend this hospital to anyone.
Kreutz Werner, Papamoa
Model flawed
Deputy Mayor David Stewart resigned as a director of Tauranga City Aquatics Ltd saying the model (of having an elected member on the board) was flawed due to conflicts of interest.
He did not want to be shackled when council reviewed the future of council companies.
Quite right. The next step is for Mayor Stuart Crosby to resign his directorship of Tauranga City Venues for the same reasons.
Perry Harlen, Mount Maunganui
Text views
* Re.pitbuls. Rubbish dogs owned by rubish owners. Govt had chance years ago 2 deal 2 this timebom, but as usual 2 hard, mite go away
* Re.pitbul dogs. Enact a law that force dangris pitbuls vemselv hav 2 come 4ward an registr voluntary. Stupid u say? On a par with curent rubish laws
* I think this is terrible about that poor lady getting attack by the pitbull and owner.
I think its how they r bought up u only hear the bad things about pitbulls they r so lovely dogs when they r trained rite give them a fair go.
* Sounds like the dog was only protecting its owner in wat may have been an already heated situation u cant blame a dog for that isnt that wat u get them for protection and companionship
* To the ignorant people of tga. Motor homes are all self contained. camper vans only some are self contained which ones are you rabbiting on about? Alan.
* I think the watefront plan is just plain boring build a museum over the water- have something unique 2 Tauranga and people will want to go there!
* If the stupid little wants 2 put himself in danger let him its called taking responsibility 4 1s actions
* Planking - who gives a toss abt those idiots if they r that stupid! The train driver is the one i wld feel sorry for.
* Its a rare occasion wen i get friendly service usin th bay hopper!
That why i dont use th bus anymore. I dont need 2be treated like that especialy when im payin
* Cr Guy states 2 much time spent on sorting freedom camping instead of dangerous dogs.
I would have thought with approx 550 council staff they would be able 2 multi task and sort both issues quickly!
* Am very dissapointed by swan shoot . Those hunters never bombed up the city end of harbour. Swans foul water and deceimate juvenile flounder population. Whats next, protect the possums, guard the gorse ! Tex Chur.
* I bet the boy will always make sure his bus card got credit. Life lesson well learnt. Right way to learn life lessons so not forgotten. Good on bus driver!
* Hav pitbulls as a pet some pitbulls r traind really well it just cms dwn 2 the right peopl right dog u nd 2 n hw 2 handl any kind of dog
* Pitbull mauls woman i fel 4 the woman that was attack by this dog ,pitbulls should nt b loud any were and should b tyed up whn people r visitn people that
* Dog needs 2 b put down ..feel sori 4 u liz.
* My hear t goes out to Liz Smith.
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