It is obvious just replace "dogs" with "guns."
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LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/metro/20010202/t000009770.html
Friday, February 2, 2001
Lessons of Canine Killing
The death of a slight San Francisco woman mauled by two massive dogs
teaches such obvious lessons: Killer dogs bred for size and ferocity have
no practical purpose and should be banned, their owners held responsible
for any damage they do. Why does it take a nightmare attack for the
message to be heard?
Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old college lacrosse coach, was trying to
unlock the door of her Pacific Heights apartment Friday when her
neighbor's dogs, an English mastiff crossbreed and a purebred Canary
Island dog, each weighing more than 100 pounds, ripped at her while their
owner failed to get them under control. Whipple's injuries were horrific,
her death certain.
The dogs have been linked to prison inmates, members of the Aryan
Brotherhood, who allegedly controlled Dogs of War, a nascent breeding
enterprise, out of Pelican Bay State Prison in Northern California. The
dogs' current owners, Marjorie Knoller and her husband, Robert Noel, both
attorneys, were enmeshed with one of the prisoners. They surely understood
the ferocity of at least the larger dog, given its apparent history of
viciousness. Yet they kept these two large animals in a one-bedroom
apartment. Prosecutors should do all they can to hold the couple legally
responsible.
Los Angeles has seen its own canine plague--vicious pit bulls and
wild strays. In South Los Angeles, a 14-month-old boy was fatally mauled
by the family's pit bull in 1999. More recently, numerous children in Los
Angeles and Orange counties have been injured by family pets. No one wants
to wait for another fatal attack, whether by a stray or a pet. Policing
dogs in Los Angeles will require a more responsive animal control
operation with more staff, shelters, equipment and resources. This is
largely up to the City Council, though animal control will also get
facilities funding from Measure F, passed by city voters last year. More
vicious dogs might be reported before they do harm if people felt there
would be a response.
Some of the burden falls on the state Legislature, which should
consider statewide bans at least on certain large crossbreeds. Breeders of
purebreds with high bite rates should pay a handsome premium for their
licenses. Abusive training intended to turn puppies into threats should be
criminally punished.
Dogs can be healers, guides, gentle protectors. Through genetics and
poor treatment, they can also become killers. Pet owners should
acknowledge the difference and join in efforts to reduce aggressive
breeds, especially in cities.
Copyright 2000 Los Angeles Times