SIR, I am a third year veterinary nursing degree student, studying at Edinburgh Napier University. After reading about the dog show organised for the Carterton May Day Fair (Report, May 6) I was thoroughly disappointed in the lack of consideration for the health of the dogs involved.

The show involved the dogs racing to different plates of sausages, and one Labrador managed to eat five plates of sausages.

Sausages are very high in fat, and eating a large amount can cause a number of critical health conditions including pancreatitis, which can be both life threatening and expensive to treat.

This event sends out the wrong message to pet owners, as pet obesity is a huge concern currently faced by the veterinary industry. In future, I feel that similar events should be checked with a vet before going ahead to ensure the wellbeing of the animals is not compromised.

Katie Finlayson
Edinburgh Napier University