Deputy Bigger Danger Than Dog

* Re “Apology Wanted in Dog’s Death,” July 7:

The headline should have read, “Public More Endangered by Deputy Than Dog,” or “Deputy Panicked by Old Dog That Slept a Lot.”

Confronted by “a growling and barking Samson, the reserve deputy turned around and ran.” A panicked man with a gun is much more dangerous than a dog in his own backyard doing his “job.”

Instead of standing his ground or carefully retreating or even using his pepper spray, the deputy responded by fleeing, then resorting to deadly force. And nine shots to stop a dog? Should this man be carrying a gun?

PAUL TAFT

Buena Park