SIR – Re Kathryn Thurgood’s letter ‘Cyclists, let me enjoy my walk by the canal’ (Worcester News, May 11) in which she wrote that was upset that some cyclists called her dog “stupid”.

I have not failed to notice the lemming-like qualities my dog seems to possess when she comes in to contact with cyclists.

To my shame I have aimed words such as stupid, half-wit and idiot at my constant canine companion. She ignored them all. To my delight it turned out that putting my faithful friend back on her lead has solved the problem.

Now man, dog and cyclists can co-exist in relative harmony. Seems I was shouting abuse at the wrong person.

TONY PINGREE
Worcester