LIKE A .357 MAGNUM ON A LEASH

What possibly could motivate someone to own an attack dog as a pet?

There are several such breeds, notably pit bulls and rottweilers. They are infamous for their ability to tear fles, animal and human, and to clamp down unflinchingly with the vicious tenaciousness of, well, a pit bull.

Recently, a man and his golden retriever in London were ferociously attacked when the two neighbour pit bulls somehow escaped their fenced yard into his. In an attempt to safe his own pet, he tried to seperate the animals and was immediately attacked himself. One of the pit bulls began to tear him apart. His screams of terror caused a neighbour to call the police who must have arrived promptly.

They shot both dogs, one not releasing the retriever from its jaws until it died. The other wounded dog was later put to death.

Luckily the retriever and its owner lived, torn and bloody and with thousands of dollars in veterinary bills.

This recalls an attack earlier this year where some similar breed ripped out the throat of a poor soul in a hamlet northeast of here. That fellow was not nearly so lucky, dying almost instantly.
There is any number of alternative breeds available, remarkable for their grace, intelligence and docility, naturally attractive characteristics for a pet.

Junk yard dog should not be synonymous with back yard dog.

We recall touring a Canadian Forces military base in Bosnia about 10 years ago. Off in a chain-link pen inside the compuond were some attack dogs which, on approach, charged the fence with frightening agression. A wry wit had labelled their pen "Jurassic Park", a move then current and known for its flesh tearing dinosaurs.

That is the only legitimate use of such animals we can imagine - guarding equipment in a vulnerable area.

Back home, if you need protection, call the police.

Dog walkers strutting with their furry time bombs know that they are attention getters - through threat and intimidation.

The owners should be shunned.