THIS is only the second time I have written to your paper, but the subject is something I feel quite strongly about. I am sick and tired of reading letters about soft and friendly dogs that wouldn't hurt a flea.

Years ago I was an insurance agent in the days when the man or woman from the Co-op, Pru, Pearl or wherever went around with their book collecting the weekly insurance premiums. I was bitten more than once by these so-called soft dogs.

On one occasion the owner was really distraught, she couldn't understand why her beloved dog had suddenly attacked me, after so many months of my weekly visits.

No doubt dog lovers will come up with some excuse as to why this happened, but this just proves that dogs can be very unpredictable.

I would never harm any animal, but neither would I trust one. My husband was also bitten while working for the Gas Board, but that's another story.

V Ruddick, Croft Way, Camblesforth, Selby.