It was refreshing to read the herring gull being praised and concern being shown for its welfare by Elizabeth Taylor (Letters, June 9).

Discarded fishing line is a danger not only to the herring gull but too all types of fowl and mammals which live around water. Even pet dogs can become tangled from swimming along river banks.

Like everything else, it is the minority which cause the problem. I believe most fishermen to be responsible. British people are renowned for their love of animals yet recently we have seen incidents of cats, swans and seagulls shot by air rifles, farm animals left to starve to death and pets crammed into cages with lack of care and food.

There were even more tragic stories involving adult dogs and cats, kittens and puppies abandoned, pets stolen and held to ransom, sea mammals and fish killed from water pollution.

these creatures.

Until we get that, thank God for our animal rescue services. Anyone who feels strongly about these issues should lobby their MP, which might at least help to stop some of the immediate cruelty endured by pets and wildlife.

-Gloria Wheatcroft, Co-ordinator, Inner City Wildlife Concern (Brighton and Hove), The Drive, Hove