According to the editorial writer, it is a shame to kill a purebred dog but not to kill a mutt.

That is just the beginning. The writer doesn't even question the long years of abuse that Pork suffered on a chain that made him a danger. Not a word about the lack of laws that would stop people from the cruel abuse of chains and muzzles that make dogs dangerous. In fact, the writer cruelly lauds chains and muzzles. But perhaps chains and muzzles are too easy for dogs - perhaps the writer should have recommended the rack and having "bad" dogs' teeth pulled without anaesthetic. That'd teach 'em!

If this were an editorial in the Hicksville Times we would not be so surprised at the depth of ignorance, but it is surprising and dismaying that one of Canada's leading dailies is promoting stone-age chaining, more killing (called "getting rid of" by the writer) and more attacks by dogs made crazy by cruel chaining.

The writer doesn't question if the SPCA knew about Pork's suffering, but we do. It's been our experience, in more than ten years of taking calls about chained dogs, that the SPCA has always been complained to first, usually many times, sometimes for years, but the dog is left on its chain (or in its yard or pen, or in the garage). Recently one SPCA blithely admitted to a caller that they had had hundreds of complaints about a dog on a short, heavy chain for years.

Poor Pork was chained - that is why he bit when he got the chance. Yet the writer says to bring on more chains. That assures that more dogs will bite. That much ignorance is inexcusable. Pork doesn't deserve to be the villain in this piece. Pork's owner, and a society that permits cruelty, are the villains. Please speak for Pork: write the Times Colonist at letters@tc.canwest.com