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Although the number of dog bites that caused people to seek medical care increased from 1986 to 1994 [LIVING, June 23], dog-bite fatalities, tragic as they may be, are not on the rise: 10 to 15 have occurred each year for the past six years, and six have occurred thus far in 1997. An estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, and most of them are children. Dog-bite injuries are a largely preventable problem. Responsible dog ownership and public education are the keys to prevention. LESLIE SINCLAIR Director of Companion Animal Care Humane Society of the U.S. Washington
When I was a toddler exploring our yard, our family's Rottweiler, Friday, repeatedly pushed me away from a part of the yard. Over and over, I tried to go around Friday, but she continued to block me, pushing me back with her chest. Frustrated, I began to cry. My mother had been watching Friday's unusual behavior, and as she approached she saw the reason Friday was blocking my path: a nest of copperhead snakes. Rottweilers have saved many more lives than they have taken. PATTY OXLEY-LEONARD Houston
It is a disgrace that dogs are killed for the hideous crimes of their owners. It is the owner who needs punishment. There is no dog in this world, unless it has been abused or trained to hate humans, that cannot become a loving creature. Rottweilers and pit bulls, for example, get a bad name because they are more easily hurt and affected by human cruelty than other breeds. If a dog attacks someone, look at the way it has been treated. Can you really blame the dog? HEATHER MACLEAN WALTERS Chester, N.J.
Owners of large, aggressive breeds of dogs must take responsibility for their pet's actions. The owner must see to it that a dog is properly socialized, trained and exercised. These three things are essential to a harmonious relationship between humans and animals. The intelligence of these dogs cannot be doubted. The inactivity (both physical and mental) of it owner can contribute to a dog's attacking people. You can gain many benefits from managing your dog properly. The cliche still holds: with the right care, dogs are "man's best friend." NICK CARRIGAN Bellevue Hill, Australia
WASTEBASKET BABY
Why would anyone but Melissa Drexler be to blame for disposing of her baby? She's the one who put it in a trash can at her prom [PUBLIC EYE, June 23]. With all the methods available to teenagers today to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, there is simply no excuse. You cannot blame her parents for not putting her on the Pill, her teachers for not handing her condoms to use when she wanted to have sex, or a political party for wanting to preserve life. Drexler knew she was expecting and had time to have a legal abortion. This horrible disregard for life should leave everyone looking no further than the killer's eyes. LORI ANNE CARTER Georgetown, Ohio
Early Sunday morning, Aug. 22, 1993, I opened my front door to find a beautiful, breathing newborn baby. Like Quasimodo, he had been brought to the church with the knowledge that he would be lifted up into life. Memory of that remarkable moment makes it especially painful for me to read about babies who are not given any chance for life. (The Rev.) RAYMOND MICHAEL UTZ St. Susanna Church Pittsburgh, Pa.