Many people are afraid of dogs, mostly Pit Bulls, because of the media blowing dog attacks out of proportion. While some can be fatal, most are provoked by the subject bitten. Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Huskies are also known for attacking, aside from Pit Bulls. Any dog can attack if they feel threatened. Legislation against Pit Bulls would never stop dog attacks because there will always be people that don’t properly train their dogs.

One of my closest friends since first grade was attacked by a dog when she was in the first grade. A 5-year-old, unaccompanied Husky charged her while she walked with her sister. The dog nearly tore her head open, leaving a 4-inch long scar in the middle of her head. She was in the hospital for 6 months, fighting for her life as a 6-year-old, first grader. She missed the majority of the school year because of her hospitalization, so her mother made her repeat the first grade. As children, I never noticed her scar, but as we got older and I grew taller than her, I began asking questions. A few weeks before we went into the 6^th grade, she finally told me the painful truth behind her scar, which triggered a hatred for all Huskies, regardless of who the owner was. The Husky that attacked her was trapped and put down immediately after the attack.

In the course of my life, I have had three dogs; Carly, Micro, and Diamond. Carly was a Great Dane and Saint Bernard mix. She was built just like a Great Dane, with long skinny legs, but showed almost no sign of being mixed with a Saint Bernard. Carly was my best friend growing up, I would spend hours just talking to her, like she would magically talk back. She was such a gentle dog, and wouldn’t even hurt a fly. After Carly passed away, my parents and I chose Micro from the ASPCA. He was 10-weeks-old and looked like a Chocolate Labrador when we brought him home, but he is a pure bred Great Dane. Just like Carly, Micro is one of the gentlest dogs, and wouldn’t hurt a fly. My parents and I rescued Diamond from our next door neighbors, who neglected and abused her. Diamond is a spastic, adorable, fun-loving, pure bred Pit Bull. Just as Carly and Micro, she will not hurt a fly. While she has escaped the yard, she has never bitten another animal or human.

My dogs have taught me patience and responsibility, while still being my best friends. I value the importance of my dogs, so greatly I would never trade them for anything. Pit Bull legislation, or any breed specific legislation will never prevent 100% of dog attacks. People will still raise their dogs to fight and attack, but regulations can reduce the amount of dog attacks.