Madam, - Your Editorial on illegal fireworks (Nov 1st)omitted to mention the huge problems they cause for working guide dogs. Guide dogs are particularly vulnerable because their owners simply cannot "disappear" from their lives, jobs, colleges etc for the few weeks either side of Halloween. Each year two or three dogs are so traumatised by fireworks they must be retired or retrained. Apart from the financial loss - it costs €35,000 to train and maintain a guide dog during its life - it is devastating for both owner and dog to be separated in this way. As a puppy-walker for Irish Guide Dogs with a four-month-old guide dog pup in my care it was indeed a nightmarish time! - Yours, etc.,
EILEEN LYNAM,
Kincora Park,
Dublin 3.