I WOULD like to respond to the letter in Friday October 27 edition of Wiltshire Times, headed Beware White Horse Menace.

I was walking my dog, a two-year-old English springer spaniel, as I have done every day for almost two years. My friend, who owns a three-year-old boxer, was with me on this occasion. Neither dogs were out of control but playing happily together as usual.

A lady was walking towards us with one small dog in her arms and two small dogs running loose. When they were approximately 100 yards away, one of the dogs took off towards the car park, then the boxer ran off in the same direction.

My springer and the other small dog appeared quite happy sniffing around where we stood. The lady went hysterical and began screaming and shouting about keeping the dogs under control. The boxer, meanwhile, came back to us at which point the lady in question threatened to hit the boxer with a lead cruelty to an animal in any situation. We walked on and called both dogs, and they continued to run around together as before.

I would like to add that on no occasion have I ever witnessed dogs fighting in public open space and my dog, even when giving chase to birds or rabbits, will return to my side on a whistle or verbal command.

If people who own extremely timid dogs wish to exercise their pets then I would like to suggest they do it in an area that is quiet and not an area known to be a place for dogs to exercise freely.

MR C STURGESS,

Westbury.