The ignorance displayed by the letter writer, from misspellings and poor grammar to a stunning lack of comprehension of the issues is breathtaking. I've been in several local SPCAs and it's easy to believe that this letter really was written by an employee. Is this the true voice of the SPCA?

The anonymous, barely literate writer seems outraged that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spends money on animals. The writer believes that animal control is a fitting business for an organization purporting to practice animal welfare. Clearly, self-interest is behind these arguments. Less money spent on real animal welfare means more money available for wages. Higher animal turnover due to pound contracting means more employment for animal disposers.

I contacted a representative of LAPS in Langley. LAPS has a 24-hour emergency service, through the RCMP, to collect dangerous dogs, loose horses, and drug-bust dogs; in other words, the pound's mandate is to protect the public from animals, and that is what it does. The SPCA's mandate is to protect animals from the public; sadly, it fails too often.