LETTERS

TO THE EDITOR

Pit bulls

To the editor:

I do hope Marion does not repeal its pit bull ban.

I was an advocate of adopting the same ordinance the City of Salina has had in place since 2004.

You are probably familiar with the Kansas Supreme Court decision that upheld the Salina ban.

One thing I remember about it is the finding that pit bulls are “uniquely dangerous animals.”

Shortly after Dodge City commissioners allowed more pit bulls to be harbored in our city, a 9-year-old boy was attached by the family pet.

He ended up with more than 60 stitches and painful wounds to his face.

I am handling a lawsuit regarding an attack on an adult couple outside their home at night.

A neighbor allowed his pit bull to go outside without being on a leash so it could relieve itself.

The woman neighbor was taking a late night stroll and did not see the dog. It attacked her as she tried to enter her house.

The husband tried to stop the dog from entering the house by closing the front door. The dog broke the front door, went into the house, and bit the wife on her arm.

They had just moved from Miami. This took place in December. She was not used to the cold nights, so she had a thick padded jacket on while outside. If it was not for the padded jacket, her wounds would have been worse. 

Kansas law on endangering a child could be used by prosecutors whenever a child is attached by or even in the reach of a pit bull. It never is.

I am continuing to enjoy your newspaper. It is not that I have a lot of interest in Marion County, but I do love great journalism, and your newspaper is always interesting and full of, well, news.

Congratulations to you and your entire staff.

Terry J. Malone
Dodge City