Sir - I feel I must write in answer to Paul Atkins letter concerning "the only people to blame are dog owners"., the majority of dog owners are dedicated to making the life of their pet their priority and to blame dog owners as a group for the unfortunate animals that end up in rescue centres is not right.

Yes of course there are people who put their animals in rescue centres mainly because they want to give their animal another chance of a good life, life isn't perfect, I myself had to take an old lady's dog to the rescue centre when she went into a home and could not take her dog with her, heartbreaking for her and for me, mainly because I have two dogs of my own and could not take the little chap in.

There are genuine people working very very hard to rehome dogs and to suggest that there should be fewer rescue centres is just barmy, what would you have done then put all the excess dogs down, you obviously do not understand the love that doggie people have for the animals and I for one am so thankful for the work of the staff at all the rescue centres.

My one dog is 18 now and when we got her from the rescue centre we were told she was there because she nipped the children at her home, upon inquiries we found that she was spoilt by the couple until they had children and then she had to take a back seat, like a child she was jealous and nipped the children, we had her and through showing her love and reassurance we had had a wonderful 16 off years with her, so when people say you can not trust a rescue dog they should have the patience and love to put it right.

Give me a rescue dog any day.

Mrs. Pat Henshaw

Malvern