RALPH Leavis (Oxford Mail Letters, March 11) asserts that Patricia Treadwell should apologise for her letter expressing the view that “people who care for animals also care for people”.
Why on earth should she, for what she wrote is true of the vast normal majority?
A small minority of psychopaths exist in every field and they may even be found in the caring professions.
That does not invalidate the view that most human beings have a natural capacity for compassion which embraces not only people but animals too.
It makes me wonder if Mr Leavis has ever known the amazing life-enhancing companionship of a loyal dog.
My wife and I have kept many, including labradors, whose splendid breed has helped countless numbers of the blind and disabled.
GRAHAM BUTLER, Banbury Road, Bicester
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here