I read with interest your article on November 11 about a police dog handler who was fined for causing unnecessary suffering to a German shepherd dog.

As a retired police dog handler, I too was upset with PC Edgar’s actions.

Dogs should be treated like children – using the softly softly approach gradually building up the bond and confidence of the team and making the training fun.

My concern is that your readers will see this article and never offer a dog to the police.

Believe me the actions of PC Edgar are abhorred by other handlers, but let me assure you police work is a great life for a dog.

Every day is fun, with the best medical treatment, top quality food and a pension to boot.

If any of your readers have a young dog that may be a little too boisterous for the home and they want it to have a good life, ask them to offer the dog to the police.

If they take him away for training ask to be informed of how the dog is progressing. Any handler would be proud to show off his dog’s success.

David John Wilkie, Heads Farm Close, Bournemouth