Dog traps

Press, 15 August 1984, Page 18

Dog traps

Sir,—Allen Frampton endorses the, Westport Borough Council’s dog trap experiments “to eradicate the menace of sex-starved and hungry dogs roaming the streets at night.” While claiming to be an animal lover, he ignores the tactics used — the main point of my original letter. The experiment may seem successful on the surface, but what of the misery of the hungry? Does it disappear automatically?—Yours, etc., ESTELLE WIN. August 12, 1984. Sir,—On the face of it the Westport Borough "Council may have had some success with its recent experiment to control stray dogs. Allen Frampton (August 10) says he endorses the council’s action because the end justifies the means. No doubt he and his ilk can justify that philosophy comfortably. Those who cannot will, as Estelle Win does, courageously defend and protect the starving dogs lured by decoys. The human race excels when it comes to passing the buck, never more when dealing with animals, as borne out by the reluctance of local bodies to make legislation tighter in order to restrict indiscriminate breeding and register owners of dogs instead of the absurd prevailing legislation where a dog’s life depends on the fickleness of its owner.—Yours, etc., E. BRUGES. August 13, 1984. [This correspondence is closed.— Editor]