Man Bites Dog Story
– Cat Attacks Pit Bull
Man Bites Dog Story – Cat Attacks Pit Bull
Dear Editor,
I read the disheartening story about the dog that killed a kitten. While that was a most unfortunate situation, I am always saddened and, quite frankly, disappointed when people call for the banning of an animal over something that is, equally quite frankly, normal animal behavior. Dogs chase cats. Cats chase mice and birds. Every child grows up knowing this by watching Tom and Jerry cartoons. Free roaming cats kill significant numbers of birds and mice every year, yet people do not view them as dangerous and don’t call for them to be banned or believe that a “child will be next.”
I feel that the owner of the kitten must share some responsibility for his kitten’s death. It is never a good idea to allow one’s cat (much less a kitten!) to roam free. My dog was attacked in her backyard by a neighbor’s free roaming cat, which resulted in a serious infection, antibiotics, and permanent scarring. My dog Tauri, the victim in this case, is a pit bull.
Anyone who allows a kitten (or even adult cat) to roam free must realize he or she is exposing the feline to many risks (cars, dogs, other cats, rabid wildlife, etc.) While certainly the owner of the pit bull should have kept better control of his dog, the fact remains that his dog was on leash. The kitten was roaming free.
Dogs are prey animals, as are cats. Dogs go after cats. I am sure that same week that the pit bull killed the kitten, in that same area, a non-pit bull killed a cat, as well (because, frankly, free roaming cats frequently fall victim to dogs). That incident just didn’t make the news.
So, why ban pit bulls over the killing of a cat when, in fact, golden retrievers, labs, German shepherds, and even Jack Russel terriers are out there attacking cats as well (but not making the news)? And if we really want to be fair, why not require cat owners to be RESPONSIBLE and stop allowing their cats to roam freely, killing other animals and attacking neighborhood dogs with impunity?
Finally, I would like to make it clear I believe the dog owner shares responsibility because he did not keep responsible control of his leashed dog (assuming the feline didn’t initiate the encounter, as one free roaming cat did to my poor Tauri).
Incidentally, I also own a cat. I love her, and I do not allow her to roam the neighborhood.
Dawn Capp
A Big Rah! from Cheer Coach to Community
Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Gilroy High School varsity spirit leaders, their parents, and coaches, I would like to publicly than the Gilroy community and particularly, the Gilroy high school staff, for your strong support of our trip to perform in the NFL Pro Bowl halftime show in Hawaii.
We would like to also thank and are sincerely grateful to the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Trustees for granting the varsity squad permission to have this wonderful experience and well-earned reward. We appreciate all of the positive correspondence from many community and school members via letters to the editor, encouraging e-mails, and heartfelt speeches to board members.
We never dreamed that so many people cared about cheerleading and recognize it for the sport that it is. You will never know how your support will greatly impact the bright futures of these intelligent and talented young ladies. You have been our cheerleaders! The GHS varsity spirit leaders are eager to represent our Gilroy community at this national event. Thank you for making this happen … we will make you proud? Go Mustangs!
Jeannie Baumgartner,
Gilroy High School Cheer Coach
Word of Support for a Solid Staff Writer
Dear Editor,
There have been some interesting letters lately concerning subject matter by staff writer Kelly Savio. I can’t say I’ve read every article, but the ones I have read were done well.
Ms. Savio definitely does her homework. Her articles are written to give the reader information they probably didn’t know, and that is the job of a good reporter. That the article stirs up the reactions that they have tells me lots of people are reading. The info is there like it or not. If you don’t care for it, skip over to the comics. Keep up the good work.
Peter Burge, Gilroy
