Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – The article in the Courier on Wednesday regarding aggressive dogs seems to be a valid one. The section on the views of a dog psychologist also has its good points, although I very much disagree with her comment that it is ”dysfunctional owners who have dogs that try to become pack leaders”.
I have been training dogs since the 1950s, instructing and advising on behaviour since the early 1960s and have yet to be involved with an owner who could be classed as ”dysfunctional”.
Many were initially short on experience, knowledge or ability. I have helped to defend some of these distraught owners in court when their dog’s life was at stake but could never class any of them as being ”dysfunctional”.
The attitude of dogs towards postmen and other visitors (valid intruders) who leave something at the door then walk away can be simply explained. The fact that they walk away induces the dog to think that his barking has sent the ‘intruder’ packing. He has won, he has scared them off and this encourages a stronger reaction in the future.
It is unlikely that the dog will have much opportunity to meet these ‘intruders’ and get to know them. You should therefore minimise the need for him to ‘defend’ his property against ‘friendly’ intentions.
The best option is to keep the dog away from the windows or doors in question until these visits are past for the day. This will help to minimise or remove the amount of aggression being shown without diluting the dog’s will to give voice and a warning that your property is being invaded when there is a real intruder.
John Cree,Tullis House,Maule St,Monifieth.
Fun and games with police force numbers
Sir, – Interesting to learn that 180 police officers from Tayside and Fife are being sent to support security at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.
Presumably this is political ploy for the National Police Force next year, where the Scottish politicians will refuse any increase … quoting that Tayside and Fife managed to police the area for six weeks with 180 less officers.
John McDonald,Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
A Testament to enlightenment
Sir, – With regard to Mr Alistair McBay’s letter (July 20) ‘Killing in the name of God’, I would point out that the sentiments of the Old Testament are not reflected in the New.
To associate the Old Testament with Christianity is absurd. There are New Testament-only Bibles, which makes utter sense. Would that have always been the case and many a foul deed committed in the name of the God may not have occurred.
The New Testament brings enlightenment and love to the human heart and refutes the barbarism reported and enshrined in the Old.
Never quote the Old Testament when referring to Christianity ”an eye for an eye” has nothing to do with ”turn the other cheek”.
Leslie Milligan,Myrtlehall Gardens,Dundee.
Memories frozen in time
Sir, – After correspondence in the papers and media at large about the coldest winter in the past 100 years, does nobody remember the winter of 1981/82 when the ice on the Tay was from Tayport to Broughty Ferry?
It was solid from bank to bank, with the oil rig supply boats coming very slowly up river, breaking the ice in front of them.
I have photographs that I took from Broughty Ferry harbour at that time and remember our pipes outside the house were frozen from the sewer pipe to the upstairs toilet. The temperature in my greenhouse bottomed out at minus 18 degrees.
And that is as recently as 1982. Short memories?
Bob Samson,Reres Gardens,Broughty Ferry.
Reagan had the right idea
Sir, – President Ronald Reagan sent a clear signal to all government employees when he fired, en masse, the US air traffic controllers who attempted to hold the country to ransom.
Such robust action is beyond any British political leader of the 21st century but how one wishes the avaricious public service unions hijacking the Olympics could be faced down.
London’s bus and Tube drivers have already been bought off with huge bonuses for just turning up and their greed contrasts starkly with the spirit of the thousands of volunteers.
It also contrasts with the altruism of the soldiers summoned to fill the gaps in security and Boris Johnson rightly demands a turnout threshold of 50% for industrial action.
Such deplorable behaviour is now pretty much confined to the public sector and clearly this is one of the things that make outsourcing to the private sector so attractive.
Dr John Cameron,Howard Place,St Andrews.
Appeal to get back in touch
Sir, – My brother Robert Young and his wife Margaret are coming home on holiday to Dundee in September and would like to get in touch with Andy and Margaret Barrie. I have been unsuccessful with this and am hoping they read this letter and get in touch with me, his sister, Ann.
They left Dundee in October 1965 with their family, Sheena and Debbie.
Ann Allan,Bower Mill Lane,Dundee.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.