Time to treat our animals with more respect

A FEW nights ago I was absolutely appalled to view newly shorn sheep sitting in six inches of snow.

To me this was not using the benefits that animals give us, but plain and simply abusing them.

I’ve heard the story before that just give the sheep two or three days and they will be insulated by extra fat layers — in other words, they will harden up.

What I would like to see happen is that these farming families harden up at the same time. They should throw open all their doors, be required to wear very little protective clothing and not have any bed covers at nights.

Somehow, I feel the extra shearing would suddenly cease.

All these poor creatures want to do is to live, but we are making this living sheer torture.

Have you also noticed that in the very few farms with some form of shelter, the sheep huddle together by it? Yes, sheep do feel cold and there is no need to wonder why nature has supplied them with a thick waterproof coat.

Surely this second shear should be stopped?

Are farmers so desperate they must shear twice? Perhaps, too, it is time to view how else animals are treated and improve their lot as well.

I wonder if those farmers who do not provide shelters for their animals should be penalised by a very large increase in rates?

Ian Morgan

Oamaru

Camping philosophy

‘‘ORDINARY’’ people like ratepayers and taxpayers will pay for their parking during the day, while the freedom campers get the space for free overnight?

They also get drinking water, toilets and bins for free?

Let’s hope I’ve got this wrong. What’s the problem with charging a fee to cover costs, similar to the basic Department of Conservation campsite in Albert Town?

Interesting developments indeed. Ulla Reymann

Dunedin

BIBLE READING: My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge. — Samuel 22:3.