Letter: Antisocial cats

Sir: To compare the killing of mammals and birds with that of worms and slugs should entitle Leslie Harper to some sort of silliness prize.

There is a huge difference in the development of the nervous system between these two groups of animals, and no one can doubt that the capacity to feel fear and pain in the prey of a cat is infinitely greater than that of an invertebrate chosen for the dinner of a blackbird.

Most cruelty to animals that occurs in this country is inflicted by the cute, lovable domestic cat. I don't propose culling them but I would hope that people who care about animals would think twice before acquiring one.

MARTIN HUMPHREY

Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire