The item regarding the shooting of the Siberian husky in Severn ("Officer shoots, kills dog in Arundel," Aug. 4) should serve as a wake-up call for the residents. You have a gun-happy "federal officer" (what is he, FBI?) in your midst!

He needs a course in patience, anger-management and re-training in the use of his weapon, in addition to tips on dog training; he should have unleashed his dog in a dog park. A leashed dog is not free and feels threatened by other dogs.

If he was off-duty, why was he carrying his weapon? I had to put my pet of 14 years to sleep recently and it is not a pleasant experience. I cannot image the grief the owner of "Bear-Bear" is feeling to have her pet taken away in such a manner.

No investigation? Unconscionable, unbelievable! I realize police officers are in danger every day, what with the gun-toting population we have, but this was an entirely different situation and was totally unnecessary. If there were witnesses willing to testify, I would sue this "federal officer." But then again, the kinds of judges we have "protecting our rights" are not always doing their best job.

Clare Hirschman, Catonsville