Ban balloons that killed my horse
MY HORSE, Feisty, was killed by a balloon that had been released to celebrate a birthday without any thought of the consequences. He panicked when he swallowed the string after the balloon had landed in his paddock. He bolted and broke his legs and neck. I have been campaigning since then to ban this airborne litter. The Mail’s Great Plastic Pick Up highlighted the fact that balloons are part of the indestructible litter found along grass verges and in hedgerows, which can cause suffering and death to farm and domestic animals. After the TV show Songs Of Praise encouraged junior children to write messages and attach them to hundreds of balloons to be released into the air, I wrote to complain. I received an assurance from the BBC that after my complaint and protests from other viewers, it had decided to stop taking part in balloon releases. So imagine my distress when Songs Of Praise let loose balloons to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence. His mother, Doreen, had been filmed lighting candles in a church and choosing her favourite hymn, which I am sure aroused more sympathy with viewers than releasing balloons. The craze of releasing helium balloons for birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, deaths, advertisements and parties must be stopped if other animals are to avoid the suffering endured by my beloved horse.
JENNIFER BIRTWISTLE, Harrogate, N. Yorks.