Dear Editor,
In light of the fatal pit bull attack in St Catherine on December 5, 2012, I write to reiterate sentiments expressed in a letter to your paper in March 2007.
Aside from establishing the legal status of pit bull dogs in Jamaica (there is none or they were all either imported illegally or represent the progeny of illegal imports), I cited the global trend of pit bull attacks and resulting legislative bans against pit bull ownership. I said that the authorities in Jamaica should take note of this international movement and queried whether Jamaica would await the tragic deaths of innocent children before the issue is addressed.
Sadly, as the tragic events of December 5 illustrate, the answer to that question is yes. So to reiterate: I urge the relevant authorities to address the matter with utmost urgency. Because there was no perceived urgency over five years ago, we have now witnessed more than just one recent death attributable to pit bulls (recall the elderly woman mauled to death in 2011, also in St Catherine, not to mention other documented attacks).
So I ask again: are the authorities going to do anything? If they are not, perhaps clear-thinking vets could simply begin refusing treatment to such vicious breeds. And the argument that medical doctors cannot refuse treatment to any patient, including a criminal, is vacant; pit bulls are not people. Another good start would be for advertising houses (including newspapers) refusing to post ads for the sale of pit bulls. Otherwise, we can just wait for news of the next tragic death. We know there will be one if nothing is done.
BS Wilson
St Andrew
Are we awaiting another death by dogs?
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In light of the fatal pit bull attack in St Catherine on December 5, 2012, I write to reiterate sentiments expressed in a letter to your paper in March 2007.
Aside from establishing the legal status of pit bull dogs in Jamaica (there is none or they were all either imported illegally or represent the progeny of illegal imports), I cited the global trend of pit bull attacks and resulting legislative bans against pit bull ownership. I said that the authorities in Jamaica should take note of this international movement and queried whether Jamaica would await the tragic deaths of innocent children before the issue is addressed.
Sadly, as the tragic events of December 5 illustrate, the answer to that question is yes. So to reiterate: I urge the relevant authorities to address the matter with utmost urgency. Because there was no perceived urgency over five years ago, we have now witnessed more than just one recent death attributable to pit bulls (recall the elderly woman mauled to death in 2011, also in St Catherine, not to mention other documented attacks).
So I ask again: are the authorities going to do anything? If they are not, perhaps clear-thinking vets could simply begin refusing treatment to such vicious breeds. And the argument that medical doctors cannot refuse treatment to any patient, including a criminal, is vacant; pit bulls are not people. Another good start would be for advertising houses (including newspapers) refusing to post ads for the sale of pit bulls. Otherwise, we can just wait for news of the next tragic death. We know there will be one if nothing is done.
BS Wilson
St Andrew
Are we awaiting another death by dogs?
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