I don’t cry often, there is so much bad news these days, I’ve built walls to distance myself. But to read of that woman stomping her dog to death breached that wall [”Northampton woman jailed in dog death,” Gazette, March 20]. I’ve heard dogs cry in fear and pain, it is a heartrending plea, not easily ignored.

As for the dog owner’s story, if she was bitten by a dog she had had for four days, I’m guessing the dog already had reason to be afraid. I’m also guessing that the reason none of the neighbors intervened is because they feared for their own safety and well-being. I hope the dog’s owner is forbidden from ever housing another animal for the rest of her life and is treated appropriately for her illness.

Terry Sprecker

West Hatfield