To the editor:

I read two newspapers, several magazines and a significant number of online columns and articles every day. There is much going on in the world today that I would like to speak on, but choose not to. I usually feel that someone will voice a similar opinion to mine sooner or later, so why bother.

But that hasn’t been the case in the recent situation with the abused animal here in Suffolk. What I’m about to say is going to be wildly unpopular, but I feel it needs to be said.

Let me first agree that it was a terrible tragedy. Let me also agree that the person responsible for those actions should be held accountable in any and every way possible, as should his parents. Where I disagree with the general public is in the response to the little boy who “saved” the kitten from the attacker.

I think it is quite understandable that in the spur of the moment it would be anyone’s natural reaction to save someone/something that was being harmed. However, I disagree that it is a teachable moment in chivalry to suggest to any child at any age that he should confront someone, anyone with a weapon.

It is wonderful that this little boy was not injured or attacked by the boy who killed the kitten. But the situation easily could have gone the other way. With no idea of what that little boy or anyone holding a knife is capable of, I would rather teach my children to err on the side of caution.

I am not by any means saying that we should teach our children to be cowards, but we should teach them to have the common sense and the self-preservation to protect themselves against those who harm them.

It is a sad comment on society when I, who served in the military and believe in protecting and serving, would feel this way, but there it is.

I do believe that the little boy who saved the kitten is a hero. I just believe that he was a very lucky hero. Those who choose to emulate him might not be so lucky.

Gia L. Sams
Suffolk