Letters and Comments for June 29, 2009

Peccard

Blown out of proportion

To the Editor:

 I just read the front page article on the hero dogs that “saved the couple” from a cougar attack, and I want to congratulate Trish Yerges for her article that was certainly National Enquirer quality. The story dripped of sensationalism from the first paragraph right up through the end.

The cat was out hunting and came across the couple’s dog that was certainly easy prey for this cougar. Granted, having a cougar attack your dog is a scary experience that could understandably shake you, but there was nothing suggesting the cougar was stalking either of the couple.

Remind yourself how many people in Oregon have ever been killed by cougars (that would be zero in case you didn’t know). Stories like Trish’s just fuel the Little Red Riding Hood mentality and paranoia towards predators.

Bummer the couple’s dog was attacked while in the backcountry, and good on the German shepherd for going after the cat, but there’s no need in building up this event into something it wasn’t.

George Peccard

La Grande