Letter: Friendly whale

Sir: This is one Washington State resident who finds the Makah kill sick ("Whale gives Indians a taste of their heritage", 19 May). Like a friendly puppy, the whale came over to the Makah boat and swam gently alongside it, conditioned by the whale-watching and other boats in our area to have no fear of boats. Instead of petting her, the murderers shoved a harpoon into her, followed by a barrage of 50-calibre bullets. This "tradition" belongs with the traditions of slavery, oppression of women and child labour.

CARLA BENNETT

Bremerton, Washington, USA