Letter: Pit bulls misunderstood; get to kno..

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I have to ask Shane Franz from South Jordan, concerning pit bulls, why his two little girls, 3 and 5, "live in fear" that they could be "attacked or killed by such vicious creatures"? ("Cities should be allowed to ban pit bull dogs," Forum, March 13)

Have they been attacked in the past? Did they witness such an attack? Pit bulls (and there are up to five types and many mixes of this breed) are the most misunderstood of all breeds of dogs. To say that the "typical owners" are "often drug dealers and thugs" just adds to the myths about pit bull breeds.

"A well-bred, well-socialized and well-trained pit bull is one of the most delightful, intelligent and gentle dogs imaginable," according to the ASPCA. I do not believe that this breed is inherently aggressive, but it has a stigma and therefore is held to a higher standard.

My daughter, who is neither a drug dealer nor a thug, has two pit bulls — the biggest cupcakes on the planet. I urge anyone who is afraid of this breed to read up on it. Get to know a couple of pit bulls — you may be surprised.

Michelle Shuttleworth

Salt Lake City

Letter: Pit bulls misunderstood; get to know them