I refer to Elaine Fouturi's letter, Animal Behaviour (June 9), and would like to answer her questions: Would she prefer not to muzzle her dog and run the risk of the dog attacking a child, for example? Wouldn't it be too late to muzzle a dog after it has done the deed?

I don't think it is necessary to make such insinuations especially about my dog attacking any children. As I explained in my previous letter not all dogs bite or attack.

I always ensure my English bull terrier is well supervised. On the other hand it is in the parent's discretion to supervise children. Owners know the character of their dogs. And as long as I do not notice any changes in my dog's behaviour I won't muzzle her.

I do not own a dog to put other people or children at risk. I own a dog because she brings total happiness into our home. I am confident that I do not own an aggressive dog.

Certain incidents that have been reported could have been avoided if dog owners made sure their dogs were under their control.

As for the other line from Ms Fouturi's letter: "If she does some research she'll find that in many cases it's their own family dog that attacked the child," my partner and I have done our research properly.

Our website - www.maltabulls.com - includes all the research one needs to know about the English bull terrier and our dog. I would like to ask Ms Fouturi: Do you think I have done my research?

There are no reports on English bull terriers attacking children. If anything, this breed is very loyal and loves to be around children and this can be proven.

Let's be rational and not generalise. There are much worse situations where children are being hurt, attacked or mistreated so I don't think dogs are the real threat to children. I don't think muzzled dogs are the solution.