THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 13, 1994 TAG: 9412130009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 26 lines
I regret that Smokey, the Labrador retriever from Danville, has been sentenced to death. Smokey is now awaiting his execution date.
Smokey deserves the same constitutional rights as any other criminal in our country. The American Civil Liberties Union should provide representation to Smokey for his protected rights.
This execution should be no different. Smokey deserves appeal all the way to the Supreme Court. The penalty should not be imposed until we, the citizens, have maintained him on Death Row in the custody of the Humane Society for 10 years.
Protect Smokey. Maybe he can be rehabilitated from chasing postmen.
JESSE E. BYRUM
Windsor, Dec. 8, 1994 by CNB