Last Tuesday, I had to do one of the hardest things I ever had to do in my life: I put my pet dog, a female pitt/rott to sleep.

You see, she broke her sturdy chain and bit a visitor who was let into our yard by our daughter and my wife. Even though she was the sweetest and most loving dog you could ever find, she was extremely vicious to anyone else outside of the immediate family. We knew this, but we were very careful to keep her chained, even though we are fenced around. We were also prepared to fight all comers to protect our beloved pet.

As far as bites go from one of these powerful dogs, the bite was a single puncture of a canine tooth and we immediately took the person for medical attention. We thanked God that it was not more serious and we now faced the problem of how to deal with the situation.

In light of the recent enactment of the Dangerous Dogs Bill and the chance that she might bite someone else, we made the decision to act responsibly.

When I took her to the vet, he could not get nearer than ten feet away. I had to administer the sedative injection on my own dog. Can you imagine how hard that was? She was my pride and joy and we had a deep bond.

When the lethal injection was given she fought against the attendant and pulled him around until her last breath. I swear I saw her smile with her last breath—maybe because she heard me bawling and crying like a child.

To dog owners who may have a dangerous dog, face up to the reality and prevent a possible tragedy. Take all possible precautions and abide by the law. I believe it was God's will for this incident to take place so that a greater tragedy did not happen down the road.

Joel Quintal

San Fernando