I would like to express my outrage at the ill-informed and insensitive letter by Phil Tong (South China Morning Post, December 15), regarding the dog poisonings in the Bowen Road, Black's Link area. To call dog owners 'inconsiderate and selfish' just because they care enough to walk their pets is a thoughtless and ignorant claim. This is not a 'so-called 'problem' '. It is a very serious issue, not only for expatriate dog owners. I have seen many Chinese walking their dogs along Black's Link and Bowen Road. For many pet owners, dogs are much-loved family members and it is devastating when they die. There is no way of justifying this senseless slaughter of these loving and innocent creatures. Mr Tong, who writes from Vancouver, British Columbia, says, 'The simplest solution to this so-called 'problem' is for these expatriate dog owners to watch their dogs properly when taking them out for a walk.' The 'simplest solution', Mr Tong, would be to catch this cowardly criminal rather than blaming caring owners who only want their dogs to receive exercise. I wonder just how much support your views would receive in British Columbia. FIONA DUTHIE The Peak
