Letter: In Brief

Sir: Your article "Technology of the microchip will not end animal cruelty" (21 April), is absolutely right. One observed in the recent Grand National how horses were subjected to painful stress and beatings by jockeys - with the obvious approval of an exultant crowd, without taking into consideration the fact that any horse which had the imprudence to fall and get hurt was quietly destroyed. At this point one wonders whether we have to discriminate between animals and animals - ie whether what is not right for chimpanzees, foxes, elephants and dogs is all right for horses.

Professor A G ALESSIO

Cardiff