The recent publicity on animal cruelty illustrates what depraved individuals we have among us.

Throwing kittens into a crusher, abandoning Staffies as if discarding a coke can, a fox beaten to death in East London and posting it on You Tube, thugs in Andalucia facing prosecution for beating a bull calf to death – all these incidents were given press coverage – and it's sickening to say the least.

At home, the move to repeal the fox hunting ban continues to sicken many. These insidious individuals escape prosecution by using private land to continue their brand of cruelty.

Maureen Falkner, Walton.