Perhaps the statistical fact that numerous mass murderers have histories of torturing and killing animals before moving on to people will put this issue into perspective. First of all, I do not know Rep. James Casorio Jr. and I do not live in his district, but Thomas Lopata’s letter (“Rabbit test,” Oct. 18) raises ignorance to a new level. I don’t believe Mr. Casorio put a rabbit before “our children’s education.” He is a private citizen who is justifiably outraged at the torture and killing of a family pet and was offering his assistance (“Legislator pledges reward money in rabbit mutilation case,” Oct. 14). Just because he is an elected official doesn’t strip him of his rights as a concerned citizen with an opinion. I’m sure that his comments in this newspaper took no more time than a short phone call and did not detract from his duties in the state House. Lopata is right that this issue has nothing to do with state government, and I don’t recall that Mr. Casorio said that it did. This issue does have to do with public safety. If you are truly concerned about our children, perhaps the statistical fact that numerous mass murderers have histories of torturing and killing animals before moving on to people will put this issue into perspective. W.R. Jones Hempfield Township

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