Letter: Dog owners are put on notice

Thursday, March 28, 2002 | 8:29 a.m.

The verdicts in the San Francisco dog-mauling case should send shivers down the spine of anyone who cares about their dogs. Cares about them more than their fellow human beings, that is.

Most dogs make good pets and companions. They can be taught to detect illegal drugs, bombs and bodies. They help the blind, the deaf, the ill and the elderly.

However, there are some breeds with the propensity to be vicious killers. Those who choose to own such breeds must be extremely cautious regarding how and where these dogs are trained and kept.

Dog owners must be more sensitive and understand that many people are afraid of dogs and don't want to be anywhere near them. Unleashed dogs must never be allowed to freely roam neighborhoods, frightening children and potentially endangering the lives of those unfortunate enough to encounter them.

The defendants in San Francisco ignored and resented many requests to use a muzzle and choke collar on their dogs. Dog owners with similar lax, uncaring attitudes who disregard the rights of others and fail to properly restrain their dogs have been put on notice. If they continue to show more concern for their animals and less for their children, friends and neighbors, they can expect to face manslaughter, as well as murder charges and convictions.

If they would heed the warnings to be more responsible pet owners, then Diane Whipple's death, as horrendous and unspeakable as it was, will not have been in vain.

JOYCE SEGAL