Defending Lassie and Her Trainers

* Regarding your article “Quit, Lassie, Quit! Good Dog,” Sept. 18.

For 50 years, the Weatherwax family from Rudd, Frank, and now Robert, has documented in hundreds of films the special care, love and animal precautions they have always taken, as owners and professional trainers, with all their animals, including Lassie. The denigrating implications of the above title and article with a Lassie headline of mistreatment is inappropriate.

The safety of animals and the humane treatment of them has been recognized as the Weatherwax standard of care throughout the world. The author of your article also misconstrues Stan Winston, who endorses the use of animals treated humanely in films serving important educational functions.

The insulting attempt at humor, using Lassie, a worldwide figure of care, love and affection, is a disservice when told to quit, even in jest.

Maybe you should have covered the Delta Society Awards in New York, where Lassie and Robert Weatherwax were the guests of honor.

MARTIN N. LEEDS

Santa Monica