Jail time would be fit punishment

To the editor:

When people are convicted of killing children, they are not sentenced to probation and community service spent in a day-care facility. So why would a judge think placing a cat killer in the midst of needy animals is a bright idea? I think Eric Ford and helpless animals everywhere would be better served by giving him jail time. It's unfortunate that those with the power to make that decision have opted to trivialize this crime.

BRANDI SCHUBERT, St. Louis