In the past week I have read of a trooper kicking a dog -- and also of a teacher paddling a school child and bringing black and blue welts on the child's bottom ("Spanking is behind the times," Ruth Sheehan, April 30).

I am concerned about the number of letters about the dog-kicking and there being none about the child's beating.

So it is permissible to paddle a child but an outrage to kick a dog? I understand in both cases it is to teach a lesson. In the dog's case, it probably taught him to let go when commanded. In the child's case, it might have created someone who planned to get even some day.

George Moriarty

Cary