Televising Pet Euthanasia

* Re “Tiny County to Air Pet Euthanasia Documentary on TV,” Dec. 17: The photo of the dog about to be put down was heart-wrenching. This dog looked friendly, tame, young and healthy. I have read that kittens purr as they are about to be put to sleep because of the warmth of human contact just before. I think it should be shown on TV so that people might understand the tragic consequences of their decision not to spay or neuter their pets.

Besides the awfulness of the unnecessary deaths of these wonderful pets, the thought of all their untapped love and loyalty just going to waste is horrible. There are so many that are anxious for life, just waiting to reward their new owners with boundless affection, a cheerful, wagging tail, playfulness and soft, soulful eyes. And, as though that’s not enough, if we open our hearts to these forgotten ones, our health may improve with lowered stress, reduced blood pressure, etc. The “rescuee” can indeed become the rescuer.

And thank you for publishing the comic strip “Mutts,” which is hilarious, but also pointed out the plight of these sweet creatures abandoned in our shelters, with the “Shelter Stories” strips.

SUSIE SLANINA

Covina

* It is amazing that some people are “angry” that the shelter in Grass Valley, Calif., will be televising the euthanizing of dogs and cats. Hiding the suffering our society callously inflicts yearly on literally tens of thousands of innocent animals is the true outrage. Perhaps these angry citizens would like to drive through East Los Angeles, as I did every day for a year, and see dogs running loose on busy streets, some as young as six weeks old and weighing as many pounds. Or perhaps they would like to visit Lincoln Park, beautiful until one walks into the interior and sees dogs covered with open sores, thin and exhausted, too hungry to even beg for food.

That, my friends, is worthy of your outrage.

MONIQUE BRYHER

Tarzana