People who own a dog who has attacked another dog (or person) should get rid of it immediately! They can call the North Shore Animal Shelter who will handle it. Don't keep it in your yard until it escapes and strikes again, as my neighbors did.

A year and a half ago a neighbor's Jinio dog brutally attacked and killed my beloved 12-year-old Pomeranian, Smokey. I had hurriedly picked up my leashed dog and tried to get the larger dog to let go, but it kept its jaws clamped. I was too shocked to know enough to report this incident, although I did notify the dog's owners, and I assumed they had gotten rid of it.

Now 17 months later I was walking my new dog, a loveable white Bichon Frises, when the same dog, unleashed again, attacked Dolly nearly killing her. Dolly is a little stronger and larger than Smokey, and barely managed to escape. As it was a Saturday, we had to make an emergency call to our caring local vet, Dr. Bob Hendrikson, who treated her for four bites and bruises. She spent 10 days at his hospital as we watched to see if she would recover.

Thanks to Dr. Hendrikson and his caring staff she is now home and in good health, (but not with her good looks yet!). We're hoping for the latter.

This time we reported it, and had visits from the police and the dog catcher (i.e. animal shelter), and many phone calls from our neighbor's insurance company.

Please, for the sake of your neighbors, get rid of a dog that you know has attacked another animal before it does more damage. Make it safe for others to take an afternoon stroll with their canine companions. I still don't feel that my quiet, dead-end street is safe for my little pal, who only walks in our fenced yard.

Mary Minturn