HAVING just read Dr Connor's second letter with regard to dog excrement (Your Letters, May 10), it has now dawned on me that he and other writers of similar letters are merely finding an excuse by their exaggerations, for their general dislike of dogs.

Their letters are generally fanatical and one-sided. Whereas letters which support our dog population always point out their disapproval of the minority of dog owners who do not clear up after their dogs. Their views are much more balanced.

But why all this fuss when there are far greater health hazards to address? For example, the pollution from traffic and industry, the chemical fertilisers and pesticides used in food production etc.

Are old people afraid to go out at night in case they tread in dog poo or because they might be mugged? Do we want to keep our children in sight in case they are attacked by a dog or is it because they might be run over by a car or molested (or even abducted) by an unsavoury person?

Come on you grumblers with all your exaggerations and ridiculous statistics, just face up to the real world, walk on our beautiful hills and admire the glory of nature as most of us do, and forget about the dog excrement.

SHEILA LLEWELLYN, Grundys Lane, Malvern Wells.