Irresponsible owners are the problem, not the size of dogs

I just read Roxanne Hill's letter to the editor ("In defense of large dogs," July 12 Thousand Oaks Acorn).

As a past owner of large and small dogs, I agree with many of the points made by Ms. Hill, but she neglected to include a few very important facts in her letter.

All pet owners should be responsible pet owners, but the reality is that there will always be people who ignore responsibility.

What Ms. Hill failed to mention is that, to my knowledge, no one has ever been hospitalized or killed by a Pomeranian or a beagle or a cocker spaniel.

The most serious injuries and fatalities have almost always resulted from an attack by a large-breed dog. They can do far more damage in much less time than a small dog.

By default, this makes large dogs far more dangerous than small dogs. It's a simple fact.

Yes, small dogs can be incredibly annoying, yapping and lunging at people, other dogs and anything else that happens to set them off, and, unfortunately, a lot of their owners think it's cute.

Does their small size release their owners from the responsibility of training them properly?

Absolutely not.

Does the small dog's aggressive behavior excuse the aggressive behavior of a large dog?

Absolutely not.

All dog owners have a responsibility to control their pet on a leash in any situation, regardless of who "started it." It's part of the leash law.

If this means enrolling in a dog obedience course, then enroll. If it means hiring a private trainer, hire him. Not only are you protecting other pets and owners, you are protecting your own pet and yourself.

It breaks my heart to hear about dogs having to be destroyed because their owners were too lazy, ignorant or uncaring to teach their pets how to behave.

I trust Ms. Hill's two large dogs are trained and socialized properly so that she never finds herself in the horrible position of having to turn them over to be destroyed.

I suggest she tell the irresponsible owners of small dogs who act aggressively and tempt fate, "Please train your dog to behave properly in public. It's not cute, and the next large dog it annoys may not be as well trained as mine and could have your dog for lunch."
Claire Massey
Thousand Oaks