JOHN O’CONNELL of the Taxpayers’ Alliance is concerned about the cost to the region’s fire service of rescuing animals in peril (Echo, July 25).

Typically, I support his group’s position on the mismanagement of public funds and the unreasonable demands made by citizens on the state at the taxpayers’ expense.

However, the existence of a service that saves animals from a protracted, painful death is an indicator of the civility of our society and should be applauded.

The cost of extinguishing fires started by local youths on public land is considerable. Fire officers, responding to yet another incident at a nature reserve last week, told me that this arson was occurring almost every day.

Clearly, criminal activity is a bigger drain on the public purse than animal rescue and there is no obvious will to do anything about it from the authorities.

Jacqueline Stanhope, Durham