Letters: Pit bulls are to blame

Regarding the letter, "Pit bull is an overused designation" [Oct. 9], the writer wants to know why the media immediately jump to the conclusion that the dogs who attacked Shashi Sharma were pit bulls. The truth is that the overwhelming majority of these dog attacks are by pit bulls or pit bull mixes.

This breed is a large, protective animal with a high prey drive. Generally, they are poorly bred, badly trained and not properly socialized. Another factor is that people are developing these dogs with no knowledge or desire to train, raise and work with them.

All dogs can bite, however. I haven't read anything about poodles or Labradors attacking adults, children and our pets.

You don't have to be an American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club judge, or have the dog's DNA, to figure out that it's a pit bull or pit bull mix. Anyone with some knowledge about dogs can look at one and make a good guess about the breed, especially when it comes to pit bulls.

I believe there should be special requirements to own and breed pit bulls. We must respect what's on the end of our leashes.

Audrey Specht, Baldwin

Editor's note: The writer was a dog breeder and trainer for more than 30 years.

Your headline on the article about the dog attack on Shashi Sharma, " 'Animals were on a mission' " [News, Oct. 8] was highly offensive and totally irresponsible. Her surgeon, Dr. Louis H. Riina, made an ignorant assertion.

Any dog may sometimes bite and can go into a frenzy, but to state that the dogs were on an intentional "mission" to maul someone is evidence of the doctor's prejudices. For Newsday to have used this stupid and unsupportable assertion as a headline gives it credence.

Philip Fries, Oakland Gardens