I am just about reaching the end of my tether listening to how sad it is that Bruce the police dog was put down.

Police dogs are trained to be of use to the service and are not family pets. Although they might live with their owners, they are no more than equipment for the service and ownership is always that of the police service, not the handler.

I am in complete agreement with the force's decision to put the dog to sleep. This happens across the country day in, day out, but we do not get het up about other cases.

I understand it is the handler's right to feel upset by the decision but I do not think the public has any right to pass judgement on the police force for protecting public safety.

What would they say if the dog was left in use and then attacked a child? I understand it had already bitten another officer.

I think the decision by those at Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company to name a bus after the dog is, frankly, sad.

As someone who buys advertising space on the buses, I would ask the company to reconsider the decision.

Bruce the dog is not a representative of Brighton, unlike Fatboy Slim or Des Lynam, and I would be unhappy for the company I represent to appear on a bus named after the dog.

We have an ongoing problem in this country where we care more for animals than people. What about the 14-year-old boy who has been scarred by the event?

He may have been fighting but I do not think that justifies having his ear bitten off by a dog.

He will now be carrying the scars, while the dog happily sleeps in doggy heaven (which is what everyone wants to hear).

Please can we start looking at the situation with sense and can our local media actually represent the views of slightly more than fanatical dog lovers?

-Michelle Parker, Southwick, Brighton