Here are two very well written letters regarding the death of the 17 month toddler by the grandparents dog. It seems the public has answers that the government should know, yet all the public can do is voice their opinions and hopefully the government will finally comply.

Girl's mauling death raises many questions
Toronto Star
Jul 05, 2007 04:30 AM

Tot killed by grandparents' dog
July 3

What if Ontario's Liberal government actually wanted to protect the public from dangerous dogs, instead of simply making political points? What if the money spent on changes to the Dog Owners' Liability Act and in court defending the law was spent on an education campaign and on helping municipalities put in place effective animal-control strategies similar to those in Calgary?

What if the Liberal government had actually listened to the many experts at the public hearings who explained why breed-specific laws do not work and who urged them to enact enforceable dangerous dog legislation instead? What if the media in Ontario reported in a fair and responsible manner instead of whipping up public hysteria, helping the Liberal government create an imaginary pit-bull crisis and creating a false sense of security now that all the "bad" dogs are banned?

What if the public held the Liberals accountable for fulfilling election promises, such as no "whipped votes," thereby allowing each MPP to vote according to his or her conscience?
Maybe 17-month-old Korie Lyn Edwards would be alive today instead of dead from an attack by her family's Rottweiler/German shepherd cross.

What if we really are all to blame for this needless tragedy?

Coleen Wilkinson, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Be responsible
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Thursday, July 05, 2007
Re: Pet dog mauls toddler to death, July 2.

More than half of all dog-related fatalities are from chained dogs. Statistically, chained dogs are more dangerous than free-running packs of dogs. Ninety-five per cent of all dog bites and attacks occur with the family dog, or a dog owned by someone the victim knows.

This has nothing to do with a breed and everything to do with education and responsible dog ownership, supervision and management.

All dogs can bite or attack, but until common-sense legislation that is directed at the irresponsible owner, not the dogs or responsible owners, is put in place and enforced, preventable injuries and deaths will continue to happen.

The current McGuinty government failed miserably in this law reform. They had the chance to listen to the experts and enact legislation that had the potential to save lives and heartache, but they chose to ban a type of dog that cannot be identified and let irresponsible owners off the hook.

Dog bites and attacks can be prevented with proper training, socialization, choosing the right breed for the right person and proper containment and management of the dog.

Lori Gray,
Alliston, Ont.