Why would you publish in Sunday's edition such an offensive pet photo showing an American flag on the floor with a dog sitting on it? It's bad enough that the dog's owners are so unpatriotic as to put the flag there in the first place, but the Herald compounded their stupid action by showing a dog sitting on it.

As a combat veteran of World War II, I am greatly offended and I would urge other veterans to speak to the desecration of our flag. You owe us an apology. If the dog's owners can read, read this: U S Code Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 176, paragraph b: "The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise." Section 176, paragraph d: "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery."

Further, your editors need education also to the proper display of our flag.

Rex Jordan, Kennewick

Editor's note: These two letters represent an outpouring of criticism regarding Sunday's Pet Zone page. Pet owner John Williams, 75, of Pasco, told the Herald on Monday that he didn't mean any disrespect to the flag or the country when he submitted a photo of his dog, George W., sitting on an American flag. He said he had just unfolded the new flag when George W. ("I named him after the best president in the United Sates of America.") came over to inspect it and then sat on it. He thought the dog's pose was cute and even uses it as wallpaper on his computer screen. Williams plans to fly the flag on a 60-foot pole in his front yard. Log onto tricityherald.com to read letters on the topic from the following readers:

Jim Hilliard, Richland

Marla Brown, Kennewick

Wesley Dean Low, Walla Walla

Merrilee Kapsi, Kennewick

Don Mouda, Kennewick

Vicki Johnson, West Richland

Gail Johnson, Kennewick

Kristen Wren, Pasco

Martha Williams, Prosser