WITH reference to your article ('Terrier Marley plucked from cliff', Journal, January 26), yet again another dog has fallen over a steep cliff while chasing sheep.

We cannot blame the dog, but we can blame the irresponsible owners for their stupidity in letting their dog run free among livestock.

Do people not possess any common sense these days, if there are sheep, there is quite a strong possibility that a dog will chase them, no matter how well behaved they may believe the dog may be?

Luckily poor Marley survived the ordeal, but at what cost of time and expense to all the rescue services involved, who are also exposing themselves to danger during the rescue?

I presume the sheep survived and the farmer did not lose any livestock this time? As well as writing a letter to express their gratitude to all those who took part in the rescue I think Marley's owners should also be writing a letter of apology to all concerned, including the farmer of the sheep, to express their remorse at being so stupid in the first place to allow Marley to run free on a cliff, especially among livestock.

Hopefully they might also include a large donation to cover some of the costs of the rescue.

As Diana Lewis so rightly said: ""I would encourage all dog owners to keep their pets on a lead at all times when walking in open areas near cliffs."

This would not only save the dog but also any poor animals it may decide to chase

VALERIE HING,

Ilfracombe.