Editor:

I am appalled that I live in the community where a defenseless puppy was mauled (in front of his 11-year-old owner) by pit bulls. 

I am appalled because the police department refused to act on numerous complaints about these vicious dogs, when these complaints have gone on for years. The police say they could do nothing, and they deny the large number of complaints reaching back to 2003. How comfortable are we supposed to feel about our police department when they can’t even properly handle aggressive, dangerous dogs and their irresponsible owner?

This is a situation that never should have happened, and it could have been prevented if the police had done something about this. There was a “confinement order” on these dogs, which was not upheld or enforced by the police. Just weeks ago these pit bulls attacked another dog who wandered near their property. This dog was seriously injured and required numerous stitches and drains put in. He only survived because he was a larger dog. Why didn’t the police do something with these pit bulls when this attack happened? Obviously the confinement order was not being followed.

How is Elyse Caiazzo ever going to forget seeing her beloved puppy brutally killed in front of her? The blood of this puppy is on the hands of the chief of police and the animal control officer of Scarborough (and Joe Bowser who has no remorse). The animal control officer apparently told one of the neighbors in the past to “stop bothering him” due to the numerous complaints about the pit bulls. If he feels “bothered” by these complaints, then he is the wrong person for the job.

I read in [a local paper] the police said “if they can’t prove Bowser is the one that let the dogs out, then they can’t do anything about it”. That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. I am the owner of four dogs and I am responsible for their actions. If they get out and bite someone, it should not matter who let the dogs out . . . I am the owner and I would expect to be held accountable. What is wrong with this society? If the laws that exist now do not protect the people and pets from dangerous, aggressive dogs after numerous complaints; then the laws need to be changed. I am sick of hearing from the police that “they could do nothing”. At the very least, they could have made sure the confinement order was being enforced. Isn’t that the purpose of law enforcement… “to enforce the laws” and any court orders ?

Karen White

Scarborough