Win-win (Woof!)

While I applaud Shifra Hoffman’s idea that more people should have dogs for protection (“Terrorist victims’ group demands canine protection,” July 18), I disagree that the only suitable dogs are highly trained, expensive, police-style dogs that require specialized handling. I also disagree that the government should provide these dogs to people at the taxpayer’s expense.

Our dog shelters are overflowing. A great many of the dogs are perfectly suited for both companionship and protection. Dogs are social creatures that protect their families; treat a dog as a member of your family and you will have a life-long friend and protector. The average citizen doesn’t need a police dog, nor is he or she trained to handle one.

I suggest that Ms. Hoffman join forces with the many no-kill shelters in Jerusalem and all over Israel to initiate a crowd-funding program or apply for a grant to obtain money that can be used to offset training costs (and perhaps also for food and medical costs, as the elderly and low-income families might find such expenses prohibitive). She should also invest her energy in drafting legislation that allows the presence of dogs in public spaces such as stores and restaurants, and prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to people with dogs.

In these ways, the costs are reduced, everyone can have a dog, and every dog can have a home. Win-win. SARAH WILLIAMS Jerusalem