Thank you letters ::

Read heartfelt letters from people about the powerful impact DogsBite.org and its founder Colleen Lynn have had upon their lives. Send letters of gratitude to .

Readers write:

Dear Colleen Lynn,

Thank you for over four years of long hours, creativity and resourcefulness, which were all necessary to fulfill your commitment to preventing dangerous dog attacks. You have accomplished so much during this period, and the tide is beginning to turn in your favor, meaning more people are listening and paying attention to your information and how they can both protect themselves from an attack, and work in their communities to prevent attacks.

Each community is so different, with various resources, and often creative solutions to this problem. Communities with strength rise to the occasion. Communities without this strength will continue to suffer from attacks from dangerous dog attacks. We are all one in attempting to resolve these issues, and are moving forward together in a more cohesive manner, as the public understands your message.

Many blessings to you for all your heartfelt work and compassion for others.  – Susanne, Texas

Dear Colleen Lynn,

We corresponded via email late last year, I discussed the attack on myself by two pit bulls. I am having a tough time psychologically dealing with all the hatred directed towards the victims of these attacks.  I have utilized your website regularly, and as a victim it has been most helpful, I continue to applaud you in your courageous efforts to stand firm against such hostile opposition. I wish you continued success with your ongoing attempts to educate others to the realities of certain breeds of dogs and hopefully one day eliminating these attacks all together. Kind Regards,  – Luke, Founder of Sittingbull.com.au

Dear DogsBite.org,

I just stumbled upon your site Dogsbite.org. I am so glad to see an organization like this! I had a situation where my little 3-year old daughter and I were leaving a city park where I had taken her to play on the jungle gym. We were over 100 yards from my truck, and about the same distance from the jungle gym, when I noticed a pit bull off his leash staring at us. It was about 20 yards away, and then suddenly charged. It was clear this animal was targeting my little girl. There was nowhere to run, even the trees were new and thin like broom sticks, no place for me to put my daughter to get her out of harm's way. It was like time slowed down, I can't describe the terror I felt, not for myself, but only for my child. I swept her behind me and told her that whatever happens, keep me between her and the dog ... I will support any legislation to ban or regulate dangerous dogs! Keep up the great work!  – Stephen, Texas

Dear Colleen Lynn,

So glad I came across your website, which I think is exceptionally well done and setting a high standard in terms of prevention and victim support.

I was pleased to see the South African media clips on your website.

No one will ever understand the sheer horror of being attacked by someone's pet unless you have been a victim yourself, or, as in my case, being the daughter of one who was savagely attacked and killed a few years ago (in the week prior to Father's Day).

I wish you all the best and may you receive all the funding you need and more to keep things going strong.   – Leana,  South Africa

Dear Colleen Lynn,

I just want to thank you once again for your dedication. Each time I receive your emails I am amazed at how clearly you are able to communicate the reality of the problem Pit Bulls are in our society. I really believe that you have been chosen by God to bring this problem to light and make a difference. I have been reminded once again to keep you in my prayers and thank God for you! If there is anything I can do to help you, I am always here and will do what I can to help. God Bless.  – Lisa, Pennsylvania

Dear Colleen Lynn,

My dog and I were attacked by a pit bull two months ago. I just wanted to give you a heartfelt thank you for all you do. My anxiety swells just reading the comments  and posts from the pit bull defenders. Sometimes I have to stay off the Internet for days just to regain my inner peace. They are so hateful. Please keep strong and know that you are an inspiration to so many victims. You are the resource I informed the Aldermen to research when I spoke at a public forum about my attack. Our city has now formed a committee to address the dangers that lurk and maul. If it weren't for people like you and many others on PBRP, I would never have fared so well and been able to be so pro-active. So here is a "Job Well Done" for you to shine light on the darkness that is so pervasive in the pit bull culture.  – Lucy, New Hampshire

Dear Colleen Lynn,

I want to thank you for your commitment to protecting innocent lives from the dangerous pit bull breed.

During my lifetime, I have witnessed 3 separate unrelated pit bull attacks. I witnessed these attacks over a 30 year period. In each case, the animal’s owners were completely shocked that their pet was capable of such an act of violence. I am now 50 years of age, and I am still frightened to go for walks in my neighborhood. These animals are inherently dangerous, and we should ALL have the right to feel safe in our community. I must say that I am shocked and appalled by the level of complete denial of facts and statistics that is demonstrated by the pit bull "advocates". I absolutely believe that your diligence has saved lives, and with the thoughtful consideration of our elected and appointed officials, I believe that many more lives will be spared.  – Mary E., Texas

Dear Colleen Lynn,

As the parents of a child who endured a disfiguring near-death mauling by a pit bull terrier, I can't begin to express my gratitude by your founding Dogsbite.org. A lifelong dog enthusiast myself, I have also been concerned when mans best friend is bred to the extremes. That concern was realized in the nightmare our innocent 10-year old son endured -- the carnage an extremely ill bred dog can bring. My interest in both animals, dogs in particular, and my love for children moved me to public protection and victims' advocacy. I have been involved and often relied upon Dogsbite.org for guidance in the criminal and civil aspects of our ongoing ordeal that began over four years ago. Throughout this time and currently, I again rely upon you and the information collected on Dogsbite.org to compel public officials to see that this issue is not one of dog owners rights, but one that is a monolithic public health, welfare and safety threat.

My wife Irene and I both wanted to take the time to say that while your detractors are adversarial, well organized and effective at getting their message out, their legions are small. Ironically, their small pack and "big bark" crusade borders on vacuous in comparison to the vastly more representative concerns you address on behalf of the public on Dogsbite.org (you've got real bite).

Keep fighting the good fight. God bless.  – Anthony and Irene Solesky, Towson, Maryland

Dear Colleen Lynn,

I want to thank you for the hard work and dedication you have in trying to protect people from dangerous dogs such as Pitbulls. Your dedication is admired by all of us that are in this battle to try and restore some safety and peace to the people, children and normal family pets. Safety and peace that has been so badly disrupted by Pitbulls and the ProPitbull Lobby.

We appreciate your honest and tactful manner in which you report dog attacks. I hope that I can bring some help to the victim advocacy movement.  – Gail, Texas

Dear Colleen Lynn,

I've long wanted a website like yours to exist, and now I find that it does. And Dogsbite.org is far more comprehensive and informative than I could have imagined. It is deeply disturbing to note that many of the victims of pit bull attacks are either infants or elderly, which I didn't realize until I discovered your web site ... I'm grateful for your legislative advocacy, as well as the website. Thank you for your work, which we wholeheartedly support.  – Thomas, Washington

Dear Colleen Lynn,

Thank you Thank you!! I love what you do! I have always felt the same as you, but you are much better at putting it into an understandable format!  You have made it very easy for me to raise awareness about how dangerous these dogs are.  – Richard, Connecticut

Dear DogsBite.org,

I've had a great deal of success in writing pit bull notification letters. They've been sent to the owners of rental properties in my neighborhood. I've used information from your site while drafting these letters.

In the case of one letter, which was sent to the property management company handling a nearby rental house, the pit bull was gone within days. I don't know where it went. But I do know that it is no longer detracting from the peace, quiet, and safety of this neighborhood.

Thank you for creating such a valuable resource.  – Jean, Arizona

Dear Colleen Lynn,

Keep up the good work. There are so few rational people in this battle that you are truly a breath of fresh air.  – Gary Wilkes, Arizona

Dear Colleen Lynn,

DogsBite.org has likely prevented more maulings and deaths by pit bulls than we'll ever know, by its persistent precision and courage in offering the facts to the public. In the storm of half-truths and outright lies, DogsBite.org offers objective and true information about the pit-bull type dog and the mayhem it is committing daily on us and our neighborhoods. Not a thing on the site is invented or exaggerated, all is checked and double checked, information we can trust. The site is a place where real experts find a platform, experts who prefer scientific honesty to toeing the politically correct line and lining their pocketbooks. All this in the face of rabid attacks by the fans of this type of dog, who above all don't want the public to know the truth and have their weapon taken from them. In a nutshell, Colleen, I'm grateful that after your attack, you decided to do your best to prevent the same from happening to the rest of us and our children -- and to our normal dogs, our cats, horses, cattle in the fields. Thank you, and happy birthday to DogsBite.org! You have saved lives.  – Alexandra Semyonova, Netherlands

Dear Colleen Lynn,

I so appreciate your dedication to so many innocent people around the world who have dealt with a dangerous dog. My wife was attacked by pit bulls while out walking. She needed several operations and a big time blood transfusion. Your site tells people they are not alone. Maulings are horrific for the entire family. Thank you for your research, your bravery, your continued effort to speak for others to weak to speak for themselves. Ignore the hate, crime, and greed of those who promote a breed of dog over the safety of human beings.  – Pat, Indiana

Dear DogsBite.org,

Thank you for the great organization that fights for the rights of victims of vicious dog attacks and for the prevention of future attacks.  – Jeff, California

Dear Colleen Lynn,

Happy DogsBite Birthday and congratulations on this special event. I so admire your willingness to take on a controversial subject and explain it so clearly and thoroughly to the public so citizens have an opportunity to learn another perspective on dangerous dogs, that could save their families or neighbors from serious injury or death.  – Susanne, New Mexico

Dear DogsBite.org,

You can't imagine how glad I am that I stumbled across your web site. A couple of friends of mine have pit bulls and I had been considering getting one. I have been researching the breed for a couple of years and most of the things I have read have been on the sites of advocates. I began to buy into the notion that "it's all in how you raise them". After hearing this from a number of sources I figured I ought to get as much information as possible before getting a pit bull. I wanted to be sure I was knowledgeable enough to properly "socialize" the dog. The only thing that held me back was the fact that despite the proper socialization and training by pit bull owners, some dogs still attacked people. I just could not reconcile what the advocates were saying with the facts.

As I was researching the breed looking for the right formula to understand this issue I came across your web site. What an eye opener. I realized that what my intuition was telling me was right. There is something wrong with what these people are saying. Your web site provided the information I needed to set my thinking straight. Thank you for what you are doing. It must be difficult to preserver in the face of such illogical and persistent opposition. I am firmly in your camp and will do all I can to prevent the tragic events these awful animals cause.  – Charles, Indiana

Dear Colleen Lynn,

Your website was my only support for months and I thank you! You are a hero! What courage it takes to continue to write about victim after victim. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU STRONG SO THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE THIS FOR ALL THE VICTIMS!  – Dogs Bite Decatur AL

Dear Colleen Lynn,

Thank you.

I started to do research into the dangers of pit bulls when it was announced in 2008 that the ban in Holland would be lifted. I searched the Dutch internet, but I could not find any information so I decided to search the American websites. I ploughed through 5 pages of search results before I found Dogsbite.org. All the time I was becoming more and more suspicious. Dog owners all agreeing on a subject? Doesn't happen, never, but they all agree pit bulls are just like any other dog?

I started a website. Being warned by Dogsbite.org experiences, I registered 'tegenpitjes.nl' private. First the pit bull owners tried a DNS attack against my site. When that didn't work, they harassed my domain registrar. It got so bad for them I had to pull the plug on 'tegenpitjes.nl' and register my new website, 'tegenpitjes.info', in the States.

Thank you Colleen, your help was invaluable. I admire you so much. I have no words to describe it because I've never known anybody who I admire this much. Your courage is a shining example for me.   – Astrid, Founder of Tegenpitjes.info

Dear DogsBite.org,

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this website. MAGNIFICENT EYE-OPENER REALLY. And to the founder of dogsbite.org, Colleen, THANK YOU SO MUCH. You are so brave for doing this. THANK YOU. Someone needed to take a first step and you did so. And in a beautiful manner. THANK YOU. May your horrifying experience and consequent actions save many lives. You've probably saved many lives already. Thank you!  – Pedro, Portugal

Dear DogsBite.org,

Your website is awesome! My wife was attacked by a pit bull in our small town in Arkansas just over two years ago, and even though I have been searching the Internet for info on dangerous dogs since that time, I only found your site this weekend. I have no idea how my searches never "found" you before, but I am glad I finally found you. I am blown away by the work you have done here. Your site is a Godsend. I will be addressing our city council on Oct 4 and have been trying to pull the info together that I would need for my presentation all by myself. But now that I have found your site, I feel I have the support of an entire army! I knew I had the facts on my side before, but now I have the enviable problem of having too many facts ... Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!  – Matt, Arkansas

Dear Colleen Lynn,

After my horse Blue and I were attacked, one of my horse owner friends decided to spend hours at her computer and she sent me EVERYTHING she found on pit bull attacks. She sent a link to one of the first accounts of your attack, that story came with a link to the raw video of  your interview. I sat through the entire thing realizing that I was not alone ... In October of 2007 I stumbled upon Dogsbite.org and contacted you. This was before your identity was out there, but when you gave me your first name I knew exactly who you were. That first time we talked on the phone, we finished each other’s sentences. People who have not been through this do not understand, people who have been through it understand without words. I value your friendship more than anything.  – Carol, Ohio

Dear Colleen Lynn,

Thank you for all that you do -- your website is a great resource.  – Kim, North Carolina

Dear DogsBite.org,

I have had many animals over the years. I wanted to thank you for your website! Your site is written so well and the information is priceless. I have been feeling very alone in my dislike for pit bulls and the ignorance that usually goes with this breed. It seems like every time I turn around more and more people are advocating for pits. I don't understand it, do they not read, watch the news or listen to others? Well you know this all too well. Again I am very thankful for your time, energy and very informative site. I no longer feel alone in my decision to not support this breed. I will spread the word about your site and help support the cause when I can. Thank you,  – Carmie, Utah

Dear Colleen Lynn,

I'm a former full-time dog behavior consultant who specialized in aggression cases. I wanted to thank you for your very well-designed and helpful site. You converted me from being anti-BSL to realizing that pit bull ownership and breeding must be very tightly controlled. I no longer believe all the myths about pit bulls being "safe, good dogs" made temporarily bad only by "bad owners" who taunt and tease them … Thanks for setting up the site, tolerating the abuse from the pro-pit-bull groups, and I hope your arm made a full recovery after your tragic run-in with that pit bull in Seattle.  – Sharon, Wisconsin

Dear DogsBite.org,

I am the father of a 6-year old boy that was viciously attacked on Thursday, at my neighbors home in Locust Grove, Georgia. I came across your site while trying to find resources to help me in my cause of changing the laws in my county and potentially my state. The dogs have been out unattended before and unfortunately this had to happen. The news station would not even air the pictures due to the graphic nature. I will be reviewing your website as it has very good information and I would love to help to advance this cause.  – Kimani, Georgia

Dear DogsBite.org,

I like your site, I send people to it regularly.  – Jeff, Michigan

Dear Colleen Lynn,

First of all, your site does absolutely first rate research. Without your findings, when I had my pit bull moment, I would have been rudderless in a sea of inequity. For a non-profit to do the kind of work you do, informing people like myself about the grave realities of that breed, it's really gratifying to see your growth and I'm really happy to give witness to your effectiveness in the battle against a true public safety menace.

My story:

One year ago I had a family move in next door to mine with what appeared to me to be some sort of Pit Bull mix. The dog was a female about 80 lbs. and just over one year old. I voiced concern with the owner, as I have a wife, 4 year-old boy, and infant daughter. After all, we shared common areas, the same fence dividing our property in the back, a car port, and our doors were roughly 5 feet apart in a town home association.

I was assured that the animal had no Pit Bull blood and was friendly with children. However, I had been advised by a good friend that the breed was nothing to take lightly, pure bred or not, so I started to search the Internet. When I found your site, I couldn't believe the back log of devastation the pit bull breed had levied across our country. I tried to contact lawyers, the local animal shelter, etc., but was told by all the above they could do nothing unless there was an "incident." Therein lies the rub. Any incident with that dog could result in a death or maiming to my family.

I contacted you and you provided information. Through my steps with the owners of that property, which resulted from my interaction with your site Dogsbite, I was able to influence the removal of that dog. I was also able to keep it from becoming a confrontational event, and insure timely action. For the two to three weeks it was still there, it rushed me twice as I was leaving my property through the back. If there is no gate or fence, I'm certain I would have been attacked. If that dog ever got a hold of my wife or children, I'm certain the results would have been ruinous.

Your site enabled a proactive response, which is really the only way to deal with a threat like that. Current laws demand some sort of violent and unchangeable actions to be carried out, which is completely unacceptable to people in danger, just like my family was at that time.

Thank you for your support in my time of need.   – George, California

Dear Colleen Lynn,

I just read your post about the four year anniversary of your attack and want to let you know I truly empathize with you and can't begin to imagine what that experience was like. I think you've done a remarkable thing by stepping up to the plate and pursuing such a worthwhile cause with your website. Although I love and respect animals, I believe that dangerous dogs are a menace to society and that our lawmakers are much too lenient in allowing them to be owned as pets. I can't understand why this is allowed while at the same time there are restrictions on the ownership of most other types of vicious animals. If there are laws to prohibit people from keeping lions and tigers in their back yards then the same thing should be done regarding pit bulls, which are just as deadly and attack with even more frequency. I live in Florida where there have been a number of attacks and fatalities recently, and the most recent fatality in Hawthorne, FL last week could have been prevented if law enforcement and animal control had done their jobs properly and used good judgment by putting the dogs down after they had attacked the first victim over a year ago ... Thanks for all you're doing and keep up the great work. May God bless you and your efforts.  – Dora, Florida

Dear DogsBite.org,

I love your organization -- you are doing good work! My 3-year-old son, while riding his bike, was attacked by a leashed pit at our local library -- completely unprovoked. I have referenced this site often in my campaign to help protect others from this deadly breed ... Thanks so much for all you are doing!  – Karen, Washington

Dear Colleen Lynn,

I'm a new fan of your website and can tell that a lot of smart, concerned and proactive people are behind it ... As a neighborhood leader, I've taken a new interest in this issue, especially since owning pit bulls continues to be the "fad" in our city and in the neighborhood. I do not understand how parents could allow their kids to own these dogs, without knowing anything about raising, training or controlling animals. It's like giving them a loaded gun ... Keep up the GREAT work on your website - nothing beats education when it comes to issues like this.  – Margaret, Mississippi

Dear Colleen Lynn,

Thank you for your voice, wisdom and knowledge. You have been an invaluable resource.   – Larry, Oregon

Dear DogsBite.org,

Thank you for existing!

Thank you for keeping up this work.

Thank you for not stepping aside because of the threats and aggressive behavior by these so-called "responsible owners" of agressive dog breeds.

Thank you for the courage and perseverance to inform the world about the real danger of harmful, terrible monsters.

Thank you for collecting the necessary data and publishing them.

Thank you for creating a network of people who are willing to let the world know how dangerous these dogs are ...

I hope there will be a day when there is no reason to celebrate your next birthday, once all those aggressive breeds are banned. But until that day:

Happy birthday and thank you for existing.   – Elisabeth, Washington

Dear Colleen Lynn,

I am so happy to hear of your new status. Your website has helped so many people understand what we all have been through. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration and valuable source of knowledge. I completely understand how you felt after your attack because I felt the exact same way. I feel lucky to have such a wonderful friend and I have so much respect for you. Keep working hard on this difficult task.  – Yvonne, California

Dear DogsBite.org,

Thanks for all that you have done and continue to do in compiling these statistics and reports. I became more interested in the attack statistics of this breed after multiple, negative contacts with pit bulls involving my family and pets in the last couple of years in our normal, middle-class neighborhood. Nothing tragic has occurred to date, thank God, but the mere presence of these animals in our neighborhood keep us aware of our surroundings at all time. You shouldn't have to be on condition yellow at all times just being outside in your own neighborhood because of dangerous dogs.  – Devon, Florida

Dear DogsBite.org,

You just made a friend for life, you are indeed a force for good, please feel free to call on me at any time. God bless,  – MJ, North Carolina

Dear DogsBite.org,

I just wanted to say that I think your website is fantastic. I also wanted to thank you for compiling this information about aggressive dog breeds (notably the pit bull), and educating the public. There is a continual need to educate people about responsible dog ownership and the added liability of owning a pit-type breed. Unfortunately, many people will never "get it," ... Again, thank you for your hard work!  – Suzanne, Virginia

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