Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo was wrong to describe police dog Bruce as "a piece of equipment" (April 11).

Dogs are living creatures and it is a privilege to own one.

They share many of the emotions of the rest of Mr Yeo's colleagues: Fear, joy and sadness, as well as being capable of great loyalty.

The fact we use these creatures to help us in dangerous situations gives us an added responsibility. How many of us would be prepared to go into a crowd of screaming, rioting youths?

I am sure Bruce was frightened but, nevertheless, did his job. I wonder if the louts involved have reflected on the misery they have caused?

It is just such attitudes as those expressed by Mr Yeo that result in more than 2,000 unwanted animals ending up in our animal shelter in Patcham every year.

-Frances Lindsay-Hills, Chairman, Mid-Sussex and Brighton RSPCA