
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994                    TAG: 9406240052 
SECTION: COMMENTARY                     PAGE: J4    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Short 
DATELINE: 940626                                 LENGTH:

OWNERS, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

{LEAD} Once again the media have turned potential dog owners into dog-avoiding -fearing people. I now read of the viciousness of three breeds of dogs. A famous icon of one of these breeds to children is their beloved Lassie. With the resurgence of 1950 family values, let's not forget Rin Tin Tin, that lovable and helpful German Shepherd. With that in mind, if others read two-thirds of the article, they realized this survey was taken in the Denver, Color., area, not in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Amazing! The Centers for Disease Control has put fear of dogs in people all across the country.

Two decades ago, the media portrayed German shepherds as vicious after a mauling incident. Fifteen years ago, the media portrayed doberman pinchers as vicious after would-be thieves were attacked by the Dobie- trained attack-guard dogs. Signs were posted warning of attack-guard dogs on premises.

{REST} Ten years ago, the American pit bull was condemned in the media after doing what ``superior, intelligent'' humans trained these animals to do: fight their own kind for ``sport.'' The American pit bull as a breed was nearly eradicated. With so many different cultures, Americans have little they can call their own, the American pit bull breed being just one.

Domesticating dogs as much, or as little, as we humans have, we must realize they are animals. Dogs are wild animals. Let's treat them with the respect all wild animals deserve. Pet owners must take responsibility for their pets just as they take responsibility for their children.

BERNIE KLEPAC

Virginia Beach, June 9, 1994 by CNB