More on the Good Samaritan

Bob Farner responded to a police officer’s call for help in the case of the dying deer, a call many agencies refused (“Busting the Good Samaritan,” by Fred Dickey, Aug. 12). He did not make a mistake, nor did he exercise poor judgment. He was simply wrong in his estimate of the time it would take a fatally wounded deer to die. Given Farner’s extensive experience with ill and injured animals, the most likely and reasonable explanation is that there is no infallible formula for predicting how quickly death will come. Dickey exposed an uncomfortable truth: not only are innocent people charged with crimes they haven’t committed, but people who take on difficult situations that others avoid are often demonized rather than commended for their actions.

Kathleen V. Williams

Los Angeles

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[Prosecutor] Kathleen McManus’ statement comparing Farner to John Gotti brought back memories of class monitors in grade school who looked for someone who moved or giggled while the teacher was out so that they could write the offender’s name on the board. Perhaps McManus’ small-minded, vengeful attitude can find her productive work tormenting prisoners for some Third World dictator. She is a perfect example of what is wrong with our system.

Michael Gregory

Beverly Hills

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I experienced Farner’s love of animals firsthand. When I was 9, I found a baby sparrow on our porch in Fallbrook. When we brought the bird to Farner’s home, he took me around and introduced me to all his furry and feathered friends, told me where the baby bird would live and that, hopefully, it would one day be reintroduced into the wild. That visit made a huge impact on me and spurred a love of animals that continues to this day.

Martha K. Waltz

Pasadena