To Ha Ly claims that his dog poses no danger to others, yet he warns that anyone coming within six feet of the big mastiff would likely be attacked. Frankly, Ly's attitude and lack of empathy for public safety concerns me.

Growing up in an East Vancouver neighbourhood full of yard dogs, I spent my entire childhood fearing canines. Although I had never been attacked, I walked home from school every day, worried that one of those vicious brutes would lunge over the fence and get me.

However, my attitude towards dogs changed one day when I unintentionally paid a visit to an off-leash park. At first, I was terrified by all the big beasts rambling by me - until I saw how playful and happy these dogs were compared to the withdrawn, rage-filled dogs I grew up around. And despite my canine phobia, I felt safe, even when surrounded by "stereotypical" tough dogs such as German Shepherds and Rottweilers.

On the other hand, most "problem" dogs have never seen the inside of their owner's home, felt the warm caress of a loving human hand or known what it's like to be taken for a walk on a regular basis. In my opinion, anyone who keeps a dog penned up all day and night and deprives it of basic social needs is guilty of cruelty, regardless of whether the animal has access to food, water and shelter.

Do owners of yard dogs believe that chaining and isolating an animal for long periods makes it more aggressive? Of course they do. That's why the dogs were obtained in the first place - as a cheap form of security that is both easily disposable and replaceable.

Unfortunately, human victims and the dogs themselves are the ones who pay the price while irresponsible owners get off with a mere slap on the wrist. Instead of simply punishing dogs for responding to the way they are treated, the city of Vancouver desperately needs to adopt legislation to deal with the real villains - problem owners.

Betty Ing

(AAS video of the mastiffs: http://animaladvocates.com/YardDogVideosVanc.htm)