I must say I am amazed by all the fuss created over the putting down of police dog Bruce.

While unfortunate, the issue must be looked at with pragmatism rather than undue emotion.

The dog bit off part of the ear of a 14-year-old boy. Whatever your feelings about the victim who, by all accounts, was involved in a street fight, this act by Bruce is not acceptable.

This was not the first time the dog had bitten a human - something it was specifically trained not to do.

As such, unfortunately, there was no viable future for Bruce.

The police could not keep him and he could not go to another home as, if he were to re-offend, the force would be liable. Death was the only option.

-David Cameron-MacKintosh, davidcammac@hotmail.com