OVER the past few weeks, fellow dog walkers alongside the River Foss made me aware of several dogs going down with a severe but short-lived bug.

The other day walking near a recently felled tree, my dog went out of sight for a few seconds. Looking over, I spied an empty tin of dog food. My thoughts went straight to the mysterious sickness bug I had heard of.

That night, the dog started with the most severe sickness and diarrhoea.

Why anyone would choose to inflict harm or distress on animals is beyond me.

DM Deamer, Penleys Grove Street, Monkgate, York.