These terrified horses should remind us of our duty of care

The RSPCA is right to highlight the danger to doves that are dyed pink or blue for “gender reveal” parties. Dyed white doves have also been used at weddings for quite some time.

Here at Little Foxes Wildlife Rescue, we have taken in two of these exploited and unfortunate birds over the years. We managed to save the first one, dyed pink, with gentle washing and intensive care, but the second one, dyed pale green, died despite our efforts.

This week we have seen two beautiful, terrified horses charging through the streets of London, colliding with vehicles and with one streaked with blood – a reminder that all exploitation of animals results in harm to the animal.

Think of the wide range of ways human beings exploit animals, from the dressing up of poor pet dogs in ghastly clothes to show on social media, to horse racing, hunting, the use of snares, vivisection and other callous and vile abuses too numerous to mention. It’s time we treated animals with the respect they deserve, and stopped thinking we can do with them as we please.

Penny Little Little Foxes Wildlife Rescue

Schools must teach about different faiths

It should be of concern to the government and all in education that Ofsted has warned that a number of schools in England are failing to meet requirements to teach Religious Education (RE) at all stages of pupils’ education. Religious belief has been the foundation of why many people are as they are and behave as they do.

Frank Field, both as an MP and then in the House of Lords, was a wonderful example of how faith makes a person, as well as informing their political aspirations and motivations. He also showed us how we can build relationships with others, including those with whom they profoundly disagree.

With increasing numbers of people from different countries and religious beliefs coming to Britain, understanding one another is becoming more and more key to coping and living alongside one another in a democratic society without conflict. Perhaps it is time schools were told to teach RE properly or be downgraded.

Jonathan Longstaff Sussex

Enough Tory infighting

So, with Grant Shapps warning Tory MP colleagues against a plot to dump Rishi Sunak after the local elections, up steps Kemi Badenoch to accuse the foreign secretary, David Cameron, of not preparing for a Leave referendum result.

No wonder people have had enough of this government. Whilst Labour is ready to deliver on a manifesto of change, the Tories never change because they are continuously locked in a bitter civil war.

Geoffrey Brooking Hampshire

The government is wrong about Rwanda

Before making any major decisions, whether personal, professional or political, it would seem obvious that evidence or advice be sought to ascertain if said actions will be beneficial or even result in the desired outcome.

It seems in politics this is not the case. So often, despite the millions spent on consultants, governments act with either no evidence of possible outcomes, or even against all reasoned advice.

Such is the case with the Rwanda bill. Only government ministers and Tory MPs seem to think it will act as a deterrent, when all the evidence points the other way. This bill will not stop the boats – but it may stop the Tories from holding on to government.

G Forward Stirling

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