Dear Editor,

On Saturday, May 16, while I was waiting for a water taxi, I observed a disturbing incident at the Kid's Fishing Derby at Seacrest Park.

Some of the trout had jumped out of the fish "pool" and were flopping on the ground. A man who was also waiting for the water taxi came over, picked up a few fish and returned them to the water.

He then noticed another fish flopping on the ground, and a dog was biting at it. Some of the men from West Seattle Sportsmen's Club were laughing at this. The man who was waiting for the water taxi asked them why this was funny, and admonished them to show some respect for the living creature (the fish).

He said, "If you're going to allow the fish to die, do it mercifully, and don't allow it to be tortured by the dog." One of the men from Sportsmen's Club said, "I don't understand, usually he (the dog) just bites their heads off."

The man waiting for the taxi repeated, "I'm just asking that you show some respect for a living creature." At this point he was told to leave.

Three men from West Seattle Sportsmen's Club were involved at this point, yelling and swearing at the man.

I am glad that this man came forward and demonstrated to those present that all life is to be respected. I was embarassed to witness the behavior of the three men representing West Seattle Sportsmen's Club, as their behavior was anything but sportsman-like.

Joann Severson
West Seattle