SIR: I refer to the dog that the local magistrates have sentenced to death.

I understand that the dog accidentally bit the young boy whilst it was engaged in a fight with another dog (something which dogs are rather prone to do) and that even the boy concerned had asked for the dog not to be killed. Are these faceless and nameless magistrates not considering his feelings, if it is destroyed.

Particularly, as I now understand that as from last week the law was changed, and it is not now mandatory for all animals to be destroyed if it innocently bites someone.

I suppose these are the same magistrates who sentence yobos who injure and rob elderly ladies and pensioners to a few hours community service instead of ordering them to be 'put down' as they should be.

Perturbed

address supplied)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.