IT is obvious that cruelty to animals is out of control in the North-East and you have to wonder how supposedly normal people can do such things – no doubt the tip of the iceberg – as are regularly reported in this paper.

Shocking as the details are, the perpetrators rarely get a severe fine, let alone a prison sentence.

Such people have put themselves beyond the pale and prison should be mandatory for their despicable deeds. What’s more they should never be allowed to own an animal again. They have shown themselves to be utterly unfit for the responsibility.

Tony Kelly, Crook