For crass insensitivity, the remarks made by Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo would be hard to beat.

Does his opinion that a police dog is a piece of equipment, deserving no more consideration than a car, reflect the true attitude of our modern police force?

The bullish stance of Mr Yeo on this issue gives credence to suspicions by hunt saboteurs and live-export protesters that many police officers are less than even-handed when called upon to deal with matters of animal welfare.

-Peter Allen, Chute Avenue, High Salvington, Worthing