More on Cheeta the Chimp

Imagine you’re an animal trainer for the film industry (“Cheeta Speaks,” by J.R. Moehringer, April 22). Your getting paid depends on your ability to persuade Chimp, a chimpanzee of 90 pounds, to start learning an act for an upcoming movie. Sure, it’s possible for you to train him using positive, nonviolent methods, but time is money. Besides, Chimp is strong, has teeth and tends to do what he wants.

Faced with that sort of job situation, it’s easy to imagine how trainers would resort to violent or threatening training methods. Sadly, that’s exactly what happens today, starting from when these intelligent animals are captured and continuing through their training. Forcing an animal to act is never good for the animal.

Brent Robinson

Victorville

Thank you for your entertaining and very moving article. I am so pleased Cheeta is a senior and well cared for, as is deserved by any animal used in the entertainment industry. These creatures give their lives and freedom for the public’s amusement, and the industry and public owe them a decent, humane retirement.

Elaine F. Livesey-Fassel

Los Angeles