To the Editor:

While others talked and turned their backs, two women saw the suffering, weighed the risks and took decent, intelligent and heroic action (to save the goose stranded in the St. Regis River). I say “intelligent” because they avoided falling through the ice, and saved the animal, as they felt they had to, by smart moves and not just barging in.

Every dilemma is different, with its own unique risks and rewards, but since none of the critics and nay-sayers were there, they have no right to condemn these two heroes, especially after their safe success. The women have no regrets.

Now, about the innocent, suffering dog left in the bag to die (Sound Off, “Despicable Behavior” Feb. 16-22). The problem is that such cruelty can only continue in the dark, like a burglary, official corruption, child abuse, etc. Crime happens when nobody’s looking. There are subhumans, and that is the right word, who view putting an already-suffering pet in a bag, or a burn barrel is perfectly okay because nobody’s looking. As yourself, would anyone do this at high noon on Market Street?

To the writer of “Despicable Behavior,” what you wish for the subhuman person is very clear—go to eternal hell…later. But now, in the current life, that subhuman is not in hell—you are. Your pain and shame are ours, and that other person is laughing at it. That person will never understand, and can never be taught, that kindness is not weakness, it is the opposite, and if abused, can turn quickly to outrage of the effective kind.

So what is effective, and might reduce, inhibit, and even end local cruelties? We have cell phone cameras now, and all of us have, and are, neighbors. If we witness abuse of any creature and refuse to stop it, we are the real victims. After the animal screams/vanishes/dies, we live a long time with the grief, regret and guilt. There is hardly ever any need to fear revenge, because such people are usually well-known to law enforcement, and police depend on public involvement. Really, no one is truly alone, and a little courage makes a lot of friends.

Hurt an animal, hurt a child.

Carl Mogerman, Norwood