News-Record.com

I have been reading the letters comparing Michael Vick's dog fighting/killing to hunting. I am aware some abhor hunting under any circumstances and it isn't my purpose to debate that. I am, however, compelled to point out that dogs, unlike other animals, have a unique relationship with man, at least in most Western civilizations.

In the earliest days, dogs helped man survive by assisting in the procurement of food. Dogs have acted as guardians, helped locate the lost and injured, helped the police and the physically challenged, helped comfort the sick or despondent, helped win wars and preserve freedom and have become family members. They have given much more than they have received.

They have been fought in confined areas for the pleasure of man. They have been abused, starved, chained up and ignored. Yet they remain loyal to those same people. No man, woman or child would be willing to suffer so much abuse. We ask so much from them, yet often are willing to give so little.

Those who use this opportunity to rant against hunting trivialize the sacrifices dogs have made serving mankind. Instead, they should do something to enhance the life of man's best friend.

Richard Thompson
Asheboro