Owners all to blame when dogs attack

I REALLY must protest about the way in which this paper seems to report instances of a Staffie biting someone yet never seems to report in such detail attacks by other dogs.

It is invariably owners to blame for not training or bringing up dogs properly - regrettably the macho yobbos who deliberately miss-train their dogs.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers were originally bred in the small terraced houses in the Black Country where they had to share the back yard and back kitchen with babies and small children.

If they couldn’t get on with children they were no good.

Staffies have a much higher tolerance of unintentional mistreatment by small children than many other breeds of dogs.

In fact they were nicknamed “nanny dogs” and noted for their tolerance of children.

To quote a case in point: we had a beloved Staffie bitch who had provided us with three litters.

When my wife became pregnant she was worried that our bitch would feel jealous.

The nearest she ever got to going upstairs was when my wife came from the maternity home and carried our son upstairs.

Our lovely bitch spent the most of a good summer sleeping under the pram in the garden.

I make the point again: it is never the dogs’ fault, the owner is always to blame.

Roger Bruton, Broadmanor, York

Take the plunge for diabetes challenge

DIABETES UK is looking for people from York to take on the swimming challenge of the year, Swim22, between February 22 and May 22.

As a Swim22 challenger you’ll swim an incredible 22 miles – the equivalent of crossing the English Channel – in your local pool, while making a difference with each and every splash.

You can take on the swim challenge alone or, better still, get your family, friends and colleagues involved.

You can even split the distance between a team to make it easier for everyone.

Swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy, have fun and set yourself a challenge.

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned swimmer, our team will be on hand to offer swimming tips and fundraising advice.

Every day, around 700 people are diagnosed with diabetes.

When diabetes is not well managed it is associated with serious complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations.

Every length you complete and every pound you raise will get us closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.

To sign up, just visit www.

diabetes.org.uk/swim22.

There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship.

Stephen Ryan, Head of the North, Diabetes UK, Dallam Lane, Warrington

Thanks to everyone who helped my wife

I WOULD very much like to thank all those people who stopped and helped my wife when she collapsed, fell and hit her head on the pavement opposite Dalton Terrace Surgery on the afternoon of Friday, December 22.

I would also like to thank the paramedic, ambulance crew and policeman who came to her aid.

Thank you all and I wish you a Happy New Year from us both.

Christopher Griffiths, Acomb, York

Story on Coco the cat made me smile

READING the article “Furniture gets the chop to set Coco free” (The Press, December 29) I had to smile where it says the 14-week-old cat’s owner called for the fire crews.

Should it not have been “the owner of the 14-weekold cat called for the fire crew”, as it gives you the impression that the owner was only 14 weeks old?

Or am I just being pedantic?

Maureen Robinson, Broadway, York