Responsibility

The children hurt by pecking birds (Echo, April 8), were hurt because their parents failed to adequately supervise them.

If parents then constantly complain, areas like the aviary will be forced to close.

This will be to the detriment of many others who enjoy the park.

In this health and safety obsessed culture, it is time the parents woke up to the fact that the health and safety of their child is their responsibility.

J Katai Old Eldon Village, Shildon.

TWO items in today’s Northern Echo struck me and both are related to captive creatures.

The report on the birds in South Park, Darlington, was the first. Surely it’s the parents’ responsibility to ensure their children don’t poke fingers through the bars?

The warning notices that the birds may bite are plain enough to see. In my childhood our parents took responsibility for our safety and behaviour.

The other was the letter from Aled Jones (HAS, April 8) in which he said that zoos are known to cause suffering to animals but then asked if this wasn’t the price we have to pay to ensure the survival of endangered species?

No Mr Jones, it’s the captive animals paying the price, not us.

Each and every living creature has the right to live the life it was born for.

Children need to learn about all creatures in their correct habitat, that they are to be respected and are not objects to be gawped at and poked.

R Laycock, Shildon.

SURELY, the parents of the children that have been injured need to take a bit more responsibility when visiting any visitor attraction that houses birds of any description in aviaries?

We all know children can be curious. I have seen at first hand while visiting various places myself how, inevitably, a child will attempt to put their fingers into the cage. At which point a parent has stepped in and spoken to the child, getting the child to step back and explaining about the dangers.

They do it despite notices, saying please do not feed the birds, or put your fingers through the wire etc.

Also, the photo in the paper clearly shows a young child with its hand up to the cage.

Whichever of the adults that was with this child clearly was not taking any notice.

The sign on the aviary clearly states do not put your fingers through the wire. Common sense should prevail in these cases.

On the other hand, some education on these birds would probably be a good thing, for children and adults alike.

After all, these are not family pets. And we should make parents more aware.

Chris Percival, Bishop Auckland.