Jay’s Life

I got this exerpt from the Mississauga News. My brother, Spencer, when he read an article calling for the banning of Pit Bulls in Mississauga wrote this letter back to the editor, it was published a couple of weeks later.

I am so incredibly proud of him. I can’t even express how much gratitude I have for him and the efforts he’s making on the part of pit bulls. Its a personal mission of mine to rescue Pit Bull and raise the public awareness about the breed, but Spencer really stepped it up a knotch. I just wanted everyone to know how proud of him I am. With Spencer on my team, I know we can really make a difference!!

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
Dogs defended
Dear Editor:

The Mississauga News
Mar 14, 2004

I opened the Wednesday, Jan. 28 edition of The Mississauga News to find a very informative story on the current plight of dog owners with regards to pit bulls.
Pit bulls, as outlined in the article, were first bred for killing and hunting and due to their (aggressive) nature, should be banned from residential areas. Since it is impossible to force dog owners to be responsible, banning the dogs is the only option. A very prudent decision.

Subsequently, of the same token, we should also ban automobiles because, as we all know, automobile accidents do happen. Since it is impossible to tell people that they shouldn’t happen, it is therefore the fault of the automobile.

Next on the chopping block should be all adults, since they cannot be held responsible for acts of child abuse and murder they commit, as recently seen in the news.

Where does it end? When will this landslide of “not me” and “bad dog” finally come to rest? When will people finally assume responsibility for their actions, as well as for the training and care of their children, as well as pets?

Obviously, you’ve never owned a pit bull. Our pit bull would run to the door and greet every visitor with a shoe. He gave you a shoe, whether you wanted one or not. The most danger he’d put you in would be from the wagging of his tail, proud of his accomplishment.

He weighed 60 pounds and still considered himself to be a lap dog. He would sit, watching and waiting patiently, for you to say okay so he could jump on the couch and cuddle with you. He would then inch his way up between you and the back of the couch, to snuggle right in, slowly stretching out. Eventually, he had 90 per cent of the couch and you had a sliver of the edge.

But, of course, he knew how to behave around humans, but how was he with other animals? Our black Labrador Retriever didn’t seem to mind him snuggling one bit. On walks, the 6-year old pit bull would wait patiently for the older lab to catch up, then he would run ahead, only to wait again. The only problem we ran into was that my bed wasn’t big enough for all three of us.

What do I think about pit bulls? What I wouldn’t give to have my dog back. He died of cancer four months ago and has left a huge hole in our hearts.

Any dog can be dangerous. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure proper treatment and training. If they can’t do that then they should be the ones banned from having pets of any kind.

I support the ban on irresponsible pit bull owners, not the dogs. If you treat them right, love them and train them, they can be the most caring and lovable creatures in the world.

Spencer Johnston

Mississauga

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS