Punish the deed not the breed

Natalino Fenech in his article entitled Woman Leads Campaign To Muzzle Dangerous Dogs quoted Vanessa Grech as saying that the Dogs Act should be changed so that all dangerous breeds should be muzzled at all times when they are in any public place. But what are dangerous breeds? Does she mean rottweillers, dobermans and bull terriers portrayed by the media as viscous dogs?

I am the proud owner of two bull terriers, both of which have a super temperament and are brilliant with both kids and other animals. They have never as much as harmed a fly. On the contrary, one of my dogs was attacked twice by unleashed animals and never did he retaliate. Why? Because he has been properly brought up.

I cannot understand why Ms Grech wants all dogs, which in her opinion are dangerous breeds, muzzled. Does she not know that the breed of dog that killed her Sophi cannot be bred or be imported into Malta? Does she not know that there have been cases of small breeds of dogs that have mauled and killed children? When not properly socialised every dog can become vicious. I say punish the deed not the breed.

I close this letter by saying that a picture says a thousand words. The picture shows a bull terrier feeding its puppies and a child sitting next to them. Not many dogs allow children near them when they have puppies. Incidentally, this breed labelled as dangerous allows them!