PETERS: Four dogs will die and the owners responsible will get away with it

This event is still not their fault. It’s the fault of the owners.

It’s the fault of the owners that the dogs had access to the drugs, it’s the fault of the owners that the dogs could escape their yard, it’s the fault of the owners that the dogs’ behaviour was so unbelievably violent.

The culpability for the entire pretext and the horrible incident itself all lies at the feet of the pit bulls’ owners.

And yet it is the dogs who pay the penalty. That’s unjust.

No charges against the owners are being contemplated. That’s also unjust.

Because of their actions or inactions, four dogs had to die. There have to be grounds for charges there.

Some might say the dogs’ deaths are punishment enough for the owners but it’s unlikely those owners will be emotionally affected at all.

If they didn’t love their dogs enough to take care of them properly, then it’s unlikely the pups will be missed.

At the very least, if charges won’t be forthcoming, the owners of these pit bulls should not be allowed to own pets in the future.

We’re all very judgmental about how other people live their lives — especially how they parent their children and how they look after their pets.

But regardless of our various beliefs, ideologies and strategies, we should all be able to agree that the outcome of pet ownership should not be that the pets are so unsafe to others, they need to be put to death.

That’s a shared value and our justice system should reflect that.

——

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by James Peters

PETERS: Four dogs will die and the owners responsible will get away with it

Our Community