McLean County can sleep safer now. Local heroes of McLean County Animal Control have saved people from a terrorizing, yapping and snapping beagle named Indy. I'm certain she could have killed a dinosaur with one nip and swallowed it whole.

People, you could have been fooled by the petite size of this little lady, barely past puppyhood. The apparent outline of her ribcage, the fearful pleading eyes, the head hung low - I'm sure it was all an act just to sucker me in so I wouldn't know how dangerous she was.

When she gingerly approached the cage door, allowing me to barely stroke her with my fingertip, little did I know she could have ripped my whole arm off and shredded me along with it.

Had enough fairly tale?

Yes, my husband and me, too, but this seems to be what animal control would have us believe.

The manager said Indy wasn't in the adoption program, facing euthanasia instead. She has a history of biting and there are no guarantees she won't bite again, he said.

I offered that guarantee. The concern is liability in adopting out a dog with a known history of biting. We pleaded, offered to sign papers relieving them from liability, offered double the price.

She would have room to run in a large, securely fenced area, companionship of other dogs, would know comfort, love, good health care, good food, good exercise. Manager's decision was firm.

I said, "Please, if you change your mind call us. We want this dog." This time there were options. Euthanizing Indy is wrong.

Killing because you must is one thing; unnecessary killing is another.

Was this tiny dog so menacingly terrorizing?

My initial plea, e-mailed to McLean County Health Department Director Robert Keller, was returned to me as "deleted without being read."

Donna Blair

Pontiac

Do you agree?