Richard Van Slyke: Attack survivor wants legal protection
Thank you for printing how most people feel about pit bulls. I was attacked seven years ago (eight weeks after open heart surgery) while out for a walk. The dog came from a house that was being remodeled (it was worker’s dog), around a dumpster and without warning attacked me. I required a dozen or so sutures to my wrist before the owners came out and called the dog off. The owners tried to leave the area when they saw me calling 911 for an ambulance, however I was able to get the vehicle license number and locate them. After a period of time, I obtained a report from animal control and ultimately ended in “animal court” in Modesto. The pit bull that bit me had, on two previous occasions, bitten people (one a child on a tricycle) who were also sent to the ER.
The pit bull was finally destroyed after its third documented attack. I agree with The Bee that the state should pass legislation to control this breed, or at the least follow the recommendations of PETA. Pit bulls were bred as violent fighting machines and have no place in our society.
Richard Van Slyke, Ripon
This story was originally published November 4, 2014 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Richard Van Slyke: Attack survivor wants legal protection."