I am writing in response to a letter in last week’s paper rebuking Vashon Isalnd Pet Protector’s (VIPP) request for Vashon residents to adopt dogs. To ask that responsible animal-loving citizens of Vashon Island not adopt homeless dogs simply because Thorne is afraid of them and doesn’t like their poop seems ignorant to me.

Dogs are domestic animals as well as wonderful companions, and I believe they do belong in our homes. Groups of free-roaming dogs do not make sense and should probably be reported, and that issue seems irrelevant when considering a responsible person or family adopting a dog from a shelter. Furthermore, I imagine that if someone wants a dog, they will find a way to make that happen, and it seems to me VIPP has the right idea: Adopt a neutered/spayed dog who may otherwise be euthanized from a shelter, instead of purchasing one from a pet store or breeder, which promotes the breeding of yet more dogs and risks yet another litter as well if the unspayed/unneutered dog happens to get loose.

I would like to note that I would not have taken such offense to this letter had the author not mentioned specific breeds (pit bulls and Rottweilers). It is entirely possible that irresponsible and/or cruel people tend to choose such “tough” breeds in order to intimidate, look cool, put them in fights, etc. but this is not the fault of the dog!

Spend some time at the off-leash area in West Seattle’s Westcrest Park, and you are likely to see all types of well-socialized and non-aggressive dogs, among them pit bulls and Rottweilers, and I don’t believe they are the exception — Rottweilers were once the most popular family dog in the United States and are still very near the top; they were bred to protect the home and family and so any aggression they may show very likely would be because they feel one or both of those is threatened. I happen to own a Rottweiler, who is one of the sweetest and most gentle dogs I have ever seen. He brings much joy and laughter to my life and I have to say I feel safer when he is with me, whether at home or out in public.

I would also like to note that poop on the road is yet another ramification of irresponsible owners and not because there are too many dogs. If there are too many dogs anywhere, I believe it would be in shelters waiting for either adoption or death.

— Katrina Dorn