Lee Judge’s cartoon “Question of the day” (6/30, Opinion) had a drawing of a handgun and a dog. His quotation for the drawing was, “If buying a handgun protects you from violence … would buying a pit bull protect you from dog bites?” He insinuates that having a pit bull wouldn’t. protect you from dog bites.
His logic isn’t very well thought out in either case. My answer is heck yes, having a pit bull would definitely protect you from dog bites.
Although I am not a supporter of pit bulls, I can’t think of a better deterrent from a dog attack than having a pit bull at my side.
Murl Talbott
Kansas City
The letter writer's logic is not fine.
"People with dogs in their homes: Among children and adults, having a dog in the household is associated with a higher incidence of dog bites. As the number of dogs in the home increases, so does the incidence of dog bites. Adults with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home."
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/biteprevention.html
Similar statistics with guns in households.
"In fact, in homes with guns, the homicide of a
household member is almost 3 times more likely to occur than in homes without guns.5 The risk of a
family member’s suicide is increased by nearly 5 times in homes with guns; the risk of suicide is higher
still for adolescents and young adults.6
Having a gun in the home also increases the risk that incidents of domestic violence will result in
homicide. Family and intimate assaults involving firearms are 12 times more likely to result in death than
nonfirearm-related assaults."
http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Guns%20in%20the%20Home.pdf
Posted by: tomw | July 05, 2009 at 09:13 AM
"Family" and "friend" is not "self," so the letter writer's logic is fine.
Posted by: Gary | July 04, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Actually, the it's the letter writer's logic that's flawed.
"The vast majority of biting dogs (77%) belong to the victim's family or a friend."
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html
Posted by: tomw | July 04, 2009 at 02:28 PM
I thought Lee Judge was fired months ago? Is he now working for free? Still a bad deal for KC Star readers, those who still bother.
Posted by: Roger Lambert | July 04, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Who the hell is Judge?
Posted by: Kee | July 04, 2009 at 10:27 AM
So if we all have pitt bulls, we wont get dog bitten? I dont think so. Speaking of not being well though out, niether is this letter.
Posted by: Stifled Freedom | July 04, 2009 at 09:42 AM
I am only surprised that anyone still pays attention to Lee Judge.
Posted by: Gary | July 04, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Superstition and religion are two separate arenas
And religion is logical if there is no better theory.
Happy 4th
Posted by: EL | July 04, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Logic and religion don't go hand in hand either, my friend. Superstition and religion are partners in all cultures that believe in a higher power.
...and yes, for the 1,000th time.....Judge is a hack....
Posted by: solomon | July 04, 2009 at 07:50 AM
Logic and editorial cartoons cannot coexist.
A few years ago Judge quoted the bible as saying creation took 7 days
Posted by: EL | July 04, 2009 at 07:37 AM
Murl, Gotta forgive ol' judge, he ain't too bright ya know... He thinks guns will attack you in your sleep.
Posted by: pmcw | July 03, 2009 at 11:32 PM