SIR: With reference to the story about Zack, how can Bolton magistrates condemn this little dog to death when all it needs is that Robert should be ordered to keep it on a lead in public places.

Zack has never been in trouble before, the seven-year-old boy does not want it to be put down. It will do that child more harm than good if it is. The dog was not 'dangerously out of control', it was just having a go at another dog. So please Mr Justice Simon Bown and Mr Justice Owen show us that you are made of better stuff than some magistrates (the do-gooders that cannot see evil where it really is), and have some compassion for a small animal.

Now if you were dealing with murderers, paedophiles and muggers of old people, I would say 'Yes, put them down'. They are far worse than this little dog. So for 'God's sake' get your priorities right and show mercy for Zack. He has more right to live than these evil people and how many chances do you give them? How many times do you forgive their crimes? Get rid of this evil in the world. Stop spending our good money on them and punish them. Set an example and we will have a lot to thank you for.

Please, please take notice of the people for once and you will have our eternal thanks.

L Kenyon

Marsh Road, Little Hulton

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