SIR – Dog owners have been warned to be extra vigilant after the county was identified as a hot spot for dog thefts (T&A, August 25). The report commented on the lack of a significant number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions for these thefts.

However, it has to be said that the response from West Yorkshire Police – that charging people was not always the appropriate outcome – was hugely disappointing to say the least.

No wonder offences are so high when this sort of attitude persists. A mere slap on the wrist, with such as a police caution, should be very much a one-off and not a regular occurrence. The easy option appears to be taken far too often.

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon