The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS:
What has Devoy got against Don Brash?
Is it not time for Susan Devoy to reveal the source of her deep-seated hatred for old Don Brash?
The "most morally bankrupt"
is pretty strong words, even for a squash player.
What is it that Don Brash has done to her to cause such bitterness and upset? Has she even met him? Is this all about him putting Sir Apirana Ngata head on the $50 note and not hers?
In Don Brash, I see a man driven by his personal convictions, largely shaped by his upbringing in a poor household; a saviour of our local kiwifruit growers during some of toughest periods in Te Puke's history; a thoughtful, articulate and tenacious Reserve Bank Governor who brought interest rates down from above 30 per cent to 5 per cent during his tenure; and a man who had the courage to step up to politics with a set of contestable solutions instead of whining about problems endlessly from the sidelines or launching corrosive personal attacks on other New Zealanders who may also deserve a little respect for their achievements.
Jack Jones, Te Puke
Pitbull article fair
Re "Pitbull in wrong hands makes truly lethal combination": This is an outstanding article. Really, we're seeing an experienced voice of reason here.
I'm a pitbull owner and I really dislike seeing the constant attack on pitbulls in the media. At the same time, I really dislike the many unqualified opinion pieces that suggest pitbulls are just like other breeds. Sorry, they're not.
Having a dog is a lifestyle choice. The bully breeds, as far as I'm concerned, involve more responsibility.
Money should be invested in educating people who buy them, not in printing poster after poster saying to give them a chance. Here in the US, there are examples of this happening in inner cities whereby people who get pitbulls as a tough man symbol are transformed, along with their dogs, into being ambassadors for the breed. At the risk of sounding elitist, only certain dog-savvy and very committed owners should have this breed.
Thank you for your insightful and fair article and kudos to the Bay of Plenty Times for allowing a balanced view to get some real estate in the paper.
(Abridged), Hany Hosny Roanoke, Virginia (USA)
Bred as shepherds
In reply to Michelle Major, I wish to correct Michelle's assumptions that German Shepherds (Alsatian was a name given by the English after World War II) were bred to be hunter-killers.
They were bred, as their name suggests, as shepherds. Many years ago in Germany, farms did not have fences and the farmer would walk the dog around the area he wanted his sheep to graze and then leave the dog to ensure the sheep remained within the area. The dog would gait around the area until the farmer returned. They are intelligent, loving animals which is why they are used by search and rescue, blind and police. Yes, the police train them to "attack" but they only do this on command at work.
When they are not at work, they live in a family environment.
As former breeders, we were often asked how can we train our puppy to protect us? The answer was always with good food, a loving environment the puppy will naturally protect without any special training.
I think all dog owners should be registered as well as the dog, because any dog in the wrong hands, with the wrong treatment and upbringing, can become dangerous. A bit like people.
Pam Meredith, Katikati
Text Views
* What kind of redneck backwater do we live in that incarcerates a man with burns to 45 per cent of his body for growing a natural God-given remedy in his backyard.
* Plez sum 1 tel Sbw u aint a boxer
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