Letter: Moral lesson of cat and bird

Sir: So Melvin Goldsmith (letter, 12 April) thinks there is an inconsistency when a nation of cat-lovers criticises a handful of huntsmen.

When I hear a bird starting to squawk in my hedge with my cat nearby I do my utmost to rescue the bird - if I am unsuccessful I am sad about it, but I cannot change the instinctive nature of animals.

I can never accept the chasing of deer and foxes as a "sport" in the same category as tennis and football. I expect human beings to have some moral sense - I do not expect this of animals.

RHODA MELVILLE

Tilehurst

Berkshire