Your correspondent L.H. Tay (South China Morning Post, May 29) writes of 'dog-lovers' and 'dog-haters'. Are Hong Kongers really divided into two extreme groups? I, for example, oppose dogs in flats at Heng Fa Chuen, but I am not a dog-hater. I like animals, think it natural and good for children and adults to have contact with them, and attach importance to dog-owners' human rights. On the other hand, some Hong Kong dog-owners are extremely cruel to their pets, while many others throw them out to become strays. L.H. Tay talks of preventing dogs from soiling public areas, and keeping them on leashes, which sounds fine, except that, if the prohibition on keeping dogs in flats is relaxed, hundreds of people will buy pets, and many owners will be irresponsible. Having already seen what a handful of (illicitly kept) dogs can do at Heng Fa Chuen, this is a real threat to the quality of life. No, S.L. Tay, the issue is not to do with two rival factions fighting to 'win', it is to do with our concept of human freedom. I accept that my rights end where my neighbours rights begin. Do you? ROSS MILBURN Chai Wan
