There is nothing like writing a biased story to sell a little print, especially at a good deputy sheriff’s expense (“‘Dangerous’ pets force hard choices,” March 20). Many of the uninitiated must feel that it is necessary to blow a whistle or sit down for peace talks when confronted with a vicious dog. Law enforcement officers do not necessarily enjoy shooting dogs. Its just another one of the many unpleasant tasks they must undergo in the performance of their duties. As a retired police officer, I have had occasion to put to rest five such animals. They met the criteria: fangs bared, proceeding in an aggressive manner, growling and snarling. Two were on a dope dealer’s doorstep — a Doberman and a German shepherd. They were both DRT (dead right there) and left for the owner to clean up. A law enforcement official should not have to suffer lacerations nor be subject to the 30-day series of rabies shots. As one who lived near the people at a previous residence who were the subject of this news story, I can testify that this particular canine did nothing less than terrorize the children in that neighborhood. It is hoped that the deputy sheriff who endeavored to do this good deed should be given a commendation. Congratulations to the Tooele County Sheriff for hiring such fine officers. The sheriff backed me up on my canine incidents and has been in office since 1984 for good reason.

Ralph E. Pierce

Tooele