Apropos the article “Red flag of muscle dogs,” published on March 22, I need to share my personal experience.
When I was nine years old, an uncle adopted a three-year-old Rottweiler named Azure (picture below), who formed a strong bond with me. Azure had very good temperament and was docile. Once we took part in a dog show where Azure and I were running together when suddenly a German Shepherd Dog (GSD) charged at me, dragging his owner along.
Azure jumped in his way. He didn’t bite the GSD but just stood before me like an impenetrable shield. The impact sent me flying to the ground but then I stood up, picked up Azure’s leash and ran towards the finishing line.
Azure had known me just for a few months but risked his life to save mine. I don’t think any human would do what he did.
Having seen what Rottweilers are really like, I find the recent ban unreasonable. Why not ban GSDs and Dobermans or even street dogs, who are guilty of most bites? They’ve banned breeds like Rottweilers and Pitbulls based on stereotypes.
All dogs are equal, be they Indies or Rotties. They have the potential to be loyal, loving, and caring but how they come about depends on their upbringing. Dogs who bite have often had a traumatic past, where they were tortured by people.
A reason why Golden Retrievers and Labradors are tagged as friendly is because they are most widely adopted and usually by loving families. But Rottweilers, Pitbulls, American Bullies, Mastiffs, and Cane Crosos are often picked up by first-time owners to show them off. Such owners often lose interest and neglect, torture, or even abandon the pets.
Dogs don’t attack to kill but defend themselves. If dogs get banned, so should humans for torturing them. We kids will be taking over world affairs in the coming years and I hope my generation realises that such a ban is simply unfair.
Vanshika Paul,
Class XI, CD Block