There is nothing more heartwarming for a columnist than to receive gushing, gooey, emotional love notes from adoring readers.

Believe it or not, I actually do get some of those that are not from family members. And in recent days, I must say, readers have outdone themselves.

I received over 300 emails, calls and message board shout outs from readers following an online item I wrote for THE BUZZ that was pretty logical, if I must say so.

In response to a Fort Lauderdale mother and son being viciously attacked by a Cane Corso-pit bull mix — a Cane Corso is described by various groups as “simply too large and aggressive to own,” an “Italian large breed of dog kept as a guardian, companion and hunter,” and “not friendly toward strangers” — I came up with a very sane suggestion.

I said if people in urbanized, crowded South Florida want pit bulls, there should be laws demanding they be muzzled while outdoors.

I also believe owners should be required to have a ton of insurance — perhaps half a million dollars. Banning pit bulls totally would be best, but the state won’t allow breed-specific bans (Miami-Dade County banned them before the state got involved. Miami-Dade voters wisely upheld their ban awhile back.)

Anyway, loving readers were quick to share their feelings about my suggestion. Some examples:

“You are ignorant.”

“You are a moron.”

“To single out and persecute a specific breed of dog is as small-minded and cruel as Hitler killing Jews” (that was one of my favorites).

“You have a better chance of being killed by a coconut than a pit bull.”

“Self-righteous ass.”

“Vicious, hurtful and uneducated.”

“It appears to be in your nature to be mean. Maybe you need a muzzle.”

“I vote for putting a muzzle on you in public.”

“Breed-specific legislation is RACISM. Thanks for letting the world know you are a racist.”

“Absolute moron … jackass.”

“You should realize that for many people, speaking ill of their pet is no different than doing the same of their children.” (I don’t know many children who bite like pit bulls, but I could be mistaken.)

“The breed is the most popular of any kind.” (Semi-automatic weapons are popular too.)

“Moron … idiot.”

I’ve actually heard similar remarks at family reunions, but that’s another story.

Anyway, with compassionate owners like that, I can understand how pit bulls often get into a foul mood.

I did, however, get a handful of responses agreeing with me.

“Absolutely pit bulls and their owners need many restrictions and insurance policies to cover the damage they do when there is an incident.”

“Saner countries ban pit bulls or restrict them in some way.”

“(Their owners have) a Disneyland view of these animals.”

One reader I talked to, in Miramar, lives in a condo where the two bedroom units are 950 square feet. One of those unit owners has two pit bulls — far exceeding the 20 pound limit in that condo — that have caused some havoc. The man added that the pit bulls devoured a cat on his porch one day.

“It’s crazy,” he said.

What’s really crazy is having these kinds of dogs in such close quarters as South Florida. It is not good for the dogs or for people.

Two years ago, Broward County commissioners were poised to do something about it — if not an outright ban, then some restrictions.

Pit bull owners responded by showing up at a commission meeting with their beloved pooches in tow. The show of force worked. The commission did nothing about restricting pit bulls.

I can’t say for sure if the county commissioners were intimidated that day.

Maybe they just didn’t want to have to deal with the sweet, loving reactions of pit bull owners.

Gary Stein can be reached at , 954-356-4616 or on Twitter @SSEditorial.