More Rap on the Flap Over Flipper

In response to “The Flipper Flap” (by Lynn Smith, Aug. 16), I am one who holds that swimming with captured dolphins is a pleasure won at much too high a cost. It is telling that the human beings so eager to experience the unique gentleness of these creatures are willing to do so at the expense of their freedom.

Prisoners, no matter how petted and loved--no matter how docile--still remain in jail. What crimes did these amazing and loving animals commit to be thus incarcerated? They are not our toys or playthings.

Ironically, we may yet come to learn this through the dolphins themselves, who within the confines of their servitude, tweak our consciences by their nobility, their captured spirits hovering over our vacation fun.

CATHERINE R. LEACH

Sherman Oaks