Killer dog, Letters, 15 December 2011

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Killer dog robs us of beloved pet

Last week I recovered the body of my tortoiseshell cat, Blossom, lying in the road, stiff and soaking wet, throat ripped out by a dog running wild.

Blossom was 10 years old, and I got her from the SPCA. This tiny ball of fluff ran up my skirt and nestled, purring loudly, in my arms. Blossom remained small, with feather-light bones, and never could miaow properly,

squeaking instead.

I put this down to the SPCA spaying her too young: only six weeks old when I got her and already "fixed". I understand why they do this: We're over-run with cats in the Bay, and callous owners frequently dump unwanted kittens.

I'm a responsible owner. Obviously the moron the dog belonged to is not. That dog killed Blossom and two other cats we know of, always after midnight on a wild, rainy night. Did his lazy owner kick him out to do the necessary? Does he know or care his dog is a killer?

I shared little Blossom with neighbours, including Laurie, 93. She brightened all our days and now we're bereft.

If caught in the act, the dog can legally be put down. Unfortunately, his stupidly indifferent owner can not.

Jenny Argante, Otumoetai

Lights unwelcome

One of the best businesses (even recession-proof) is the supply and fitting of traffic lights.

Roundabouts are far more efficient, and never break down nor need maintenance, nor need replacing when dopey drivers wipe them out. Why on earth do we need the new traffic lights at the bottom of 15th Avenue?

The lights at the Elizabeth Rd/Devonport Rd corner could be replaced with a smaller version of a roundabout. It has worked perfectly when the traffic lights failed.

Yes, there are only short hours that peak traffic exists, and lights can be phased to flash amber during the 87 per cent of off-peak times, and those lights then become a flowing roundabout.

Vehicles idling at lights with merely waste valuable fuel, plus contribute more toward pollution.

Traffic lights for pedestrians are often included in this farce.

(Abridged)

Michael P Donovan, Tauranga