WE have become accustomed to the notion that we live in heartless times, reading every day of all sorts of cruelties being perpetrated on our fellow creatures, but a report in last week s issue was truly shocking. Are there any more harmless or loveable c

WE have become accustomed to the notion that we live in heartless times, reading every day of all sorts of cruelties being perpetrated on our fellow creatures, but a report in last week's issue was truly shocking.

Are there any more harmless or loveable creatures in the world than teddy bears?

For decades now, all over the world, bears of all kinds have provided their owners with unquestioning love and trust and, it must be said, had that trust respected.

But according to your newspaper, in a mass atrocity, 40 of these innocent creatures were taken against their will and subjected to the torture of being launched from the tower of St Peter's Church (in Wisbech) equipped only with the flimsiest of parachutes.

No helmets or intensive training, as would be required for human beings considering such risk. No opportunity to withdraw from the hazard. A perfunctory safety briefing and over you go.

Horror of horrors, you report that three did not survive. What a sad loss.

No doubt the initiators will try to tell us the bears enjoyed it. That is what they said about bull baiting, cock fighting, and hare coursing.

Until now we have not needed laws against cruelty to teddy bears but perhaps the time is approaching.

Elsewhere, in the same issue, you report on an RSPCA Open Day at the Block Fen Animal Shelter. Perhaps one day a Block Fen Teddy Bear Shelter will be required.

HARRY JONES

West End

March