I was deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Bruce the police dog as, I am sure, were many readers.

While I accept Bruce may not have been able to continue in the service, I remain appalled the police response was to simply terminate his life.

Other solutions were clearly available, would have saved the police huge embarrassment - making the service look out of touch and heartless - and avoided the deep distress of so many people.

The statements referring to animals as pieces of equipment is morally wrong.

We must respect animals as living creatures. Treating them as mere objects demeans us as humans.

BSE, salmonella and foot-and-mouth disease are all, in part, linked with treating animals as food products and not living creatures.

-Coun Rik Child, Green Party, St Peter's ward