Humans are responsible for dogs' actions

To the editor:

People put a bad-rap label on pit bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers and wolf-breed dogs. Take it from someone who has been bitten by two dogs, a black lab and a lab mix: It isn't just those dogs. I blame myself because I should've known about an animal's territory. I since have been educated and am a responsible dog owner.

Responsible dog owners know that taking care of a dog is a lot like taking care of a child. We take responsibility by watching them so they don't get hurt -- or hurt others.

The scenario: Dog bites child. Parent of child gets upset. Parent of child wants to ban dog or, heaven forbid, suggests the dog be put down. Case closed.

If a child gets bitten by a dog, we have to look at the entire picture. What was the child doing to provoke the dog? Where was the child's parent? Did the owner of the dog have him properly fenced in, or was the dog tied up? And if the parent knew there was a vicious dog, then why was the child over by the dog anyway? There are many parties involved in a situation like this. The dog is an innocent victim just like the child.

The solution: Responsibility and education. We all know that rules and regulations don't prevent bad or wrong things from happening. We need to get to the core of the subject before it becomes a problem.

LEIGH ASMUS

Millersville