Dear Editor,

The country must thank Dr Grace Virtue for clearly stating the obvious in her column in the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

I read with dismay some of the reactions to the pit bull near-massacre.

Why was the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation only considering contributing to the financial needs of this unfortunate family? Why has no legal action been taken against the owner(s) of these dogs?

This is not a private matter, as was reportedly said in one newspaper. The laws clearly show the illegality of possession of these dogs in Jamaica. This I have known since 1963 when I worked in the travel industry in Jamaica.

It seems that the ownership of these dogs, these killing machines, is a status symbol, or evidence of gangsterism.

In some jurisdictions in the US these dogs (pit bulls) are banned because of their vicious nature.

No citizen should be afraid to walk on the public streets because of dogs.

Thanks, Dr Virtue for addressing this matter.

I hope all the Members of Parliament, those with cojones, stand up and do what is necessary — the elimination of these dogs from Jamaica’s shores.

Our children and adults are more important than pit bulls.

Louis A Hemans

Hyattsville, MD, USA

Lahemans@aol.com