In response to Marc Atkinson's letter (Acorn, Oct. 17), this situation is quite complex, for the term "pit bull" is a misnomer to begin with.

There isn't any such breed as a "pit bull," but this is the generalized term used by the media, and now the general public, to describe the mixed breed offspring and/or hybrids from American Staffordshire terriers, bull terriers, etc. These were purebred working dogs, and their propensities toward certain traits were fostered and encouraged for them to fulfill their jobs.

The pit bulls of today walking our streets have no such working job, except to be a fashion statement in regards to how tough you are. It's "your rap" or reputation that is at stake.

Yesterday I saw two young men with their dog. Instead of a collar and lead, the pit bull had a chain around her neck. No license, no ID tag, scars around her face, and neither young man was carrying a plastic bag to pick up anything she might have left behind.

As a fellow dog lover and rescuer, I was saddened, so I backtracked and asked if they needed a collar and lead for her.

I was told to "mind your own business, old lady" and that it was "part of the appeal of owning a pit bull."

Five years ago I noticed people in our community started carrying walking sticks with them as they walked their own dogs as a defense to dog attacks. In the last year or so I noticed people are not walking their dogs as much as they used to, and more pit bulls are on the streets now in Simi.

Coincidence? I think not.

Funny, of the many homeless people I have approached who own dogs, not one has ever told me to mind my own business. In fact, they appreciate a new collar, lead, dog food, offer to get their dog uptodate on shots, grooming, etc.

And yet we apply pressure on the homeless to move on and do nothing about pit bull maulings and death when it invades our community.

Where is the logic in this? Linda Nelson Simi Valley