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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2008)
Page 20 The INDEPENDENT, February 21, 2008 Letters From page 14 Owners must control dangerous dogs To The Editor: On January 11, I walked my 8 year-old son to school at the Catholic Church with our 10 year old Beagle, Henry. We walked over the hill and through the woods; it was a nice morning walk together. Af- ter dropping my son off for school, Henry and I headed for home. We headed up Missis- sippi Ave. and just as we were about to reach Oregon St. two Pit Bulls in a fenced yard, locat- ed on Oregon St., became very agitated as we attempted to walk past. They began barking, running their fence line, and fighting and biting each other. We were walking on the oppo- site side of Mississippi and Henry was on a leash. Both Pit Bulls came out of the fenced yard as it was not secured to hold animals in. The larger black and white Pit Bull charged at us immediately and began attacking my old dog. I began screaming for help but no one came. I also kicked the dog several times in the head trying to get it off of Henry, al- though the dog wasn’t fazed. At one point I kicked the dog so hard that I fell on my back into the street and was then face to face with the Pit Bull. I was scared for my own safety and terrified for Henry’s as he was being mauled before my eyes. Henry was bleeding and could not stand up or walk as he was injured so badly. I knew I had to get Henry up off the ground and try to get to safety. I scooped his weak and bleeding body up into my arms and began franti- cally walking away still kicking at the Pit Bull and screaming for anyone to help us. We went to a house nearby and hid in their back yard. I laid Henry on top of a chest freezer and laid on top of him praying that Pit Bull did not come back while I called for help. Help arrived just in time as that Pit Bull was on his way around the house where we were taking refuge. The point to this story is for dog owners to take responsibil- ity for animals they own or are caring for. If you have a danger- ous or potentially dangerous dog, then keep them secure and away from other innocent people and animals. And un- derstand that if you do not li- cense your dog in Columbia County then you are subject to a citation. You will also receive citations for having an aggres- sive or nuisance of a dog. And your dog could also get labeled as a dangerous dog which means more restrictions and more money spent on your be- half to keep your dog. You will also be accountable for any vet bills related to the attack. Your dog could also be euthanized if proven to be too dangerous to keep (see ORS 609.035). There are consequences for your irresponsibility as a dog owner in our city and county. And if your dog does attack an- other person or pet, then the very least you could do is say you are sorry and offer your help. Amy Cieloha Vernonia Editor’s Note: We checked on Henry and he has recovered from the attack. County food bank appreciates support To The Editor: On behalf of Columbia Pacif- ic Food Bank I would like to thank those individuals, service organizations, businesses and local governments for their on- going support. In 2007 CPFB received, warehoused and dis- BUDGET HEATING & COOLING Full Service, Sales and Installation. 27 years experience. Visa & Master Cards accepted. 503 233-3133 3215 NE Couch st Portland, Oregon 97232 • CCB #147995 VERNONIA INN Enjoy a quiet weekend with us. FULL SIZE, IN ROOM HOT TUBS Queen Beds • Private Bath • Separate Entrance Cable TV • Phones • Handicapped Access • Commercial Rates FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 1-800-354-9494 / 503-429-4006 Gift Certificates Available 900 MADISON AVE., VERNONIA, OR 97064 Just one block off scenic Nehalem River Hwy. (Oregon 47) tributed over 758,103 lbs. of food throughout Columbia County. This food was used to fill an average of 2,095 food boxes each month, and assist over 20 member agencies with supplemental food for their pro- grams. I would also like to thank the local community as well as communities throughout the state for reaching out to help Columbia County this past De- cember after the floods. An ad- ditional 25,000 lbs. of food was donated to CPFB during the month of December and has al- ready been redistributed throughout the county. At a time when the federal government has cut USDA emergency food commodities by 70% it is more important than ever that we work together to make sure that people in our communities don’t have to go to bed hungry. With your support in 2008, Columbia Pacific Food Bank will continue to work on com- munity food security, meaning that all people, at all times, have access to safe, nutritious and affordable food. If you would like to help in our mission to “eliminate hunger and its root causes”, please call us at 503-397-9708 or email us at cpfb@opusnet. com. Sincerely, Tracie Smith Executive Director Columbia Pacific Food Bank More power in words than in cannons To The Editor: A time to negotiate – a time to accept; I am not a religious man, yet no one believes more than I – it seems obvious. God gives and God takes away. Usually when God takes, something is left in exchange. The equivalent values are not always obvious. Don’t try to negotiate – you may end up with nothing. There is more power in a few words than all the cannons in the world. Eddie Peters Vernonia
