Rattled by Those Snake Roundups

I was appalled by your article on the practice of rattlesnake roundups (“Rattle Trap,” March 14).

Rattlesnakes may not be cute and cuddly, but animal cruelty and senseless slaughter in the name of fun and profit is disgusting no matter what type of animal is the victim.

In this time of great national pride, we should not forget that the rattlesnake was almost chosen as our national symbol. It is found on the flag that represented our original 13 colonies with the slogan, “Don’t Tread on Me.” Watching such an animal be wiped out by so-called “nature lovers” is sickening.

If we let the organizers of these rattlesnake roundups continue, I wonder what they will do after they have wiped out all of the snakes? I guess that they can spend their time rounding up all the rats that will no longer be kept in check by the snakes.

JEF HEWITT

Los Angeles