Stop the cruelty

SHOOTING an inoffensive bird with a bow and arrow is indeed a “despicable“ act (Cruelty for the birds, News, 15 January) but how many of us are guilty of cruelty to birds on a daily basis without even recognising it?
How many of us eat commercially produced eggs? If so we are guilty of slicing off birds’ beaks with a red hot blade or laser and permanently incarcerating them inside small, barren, wire cages in which they are constantly feather pecked by their half-crazed “cellmates“. We are guilty of killing all male chicks by dropping them live into mincing machines.
How many eat chicken? Chickens raised for meat are abnormally bred to grow to adult size in just six weeks. Almost all are in chronic pain by the time they reach slaughter weight because their baby legs buckle under the weight of their huge bodies. All birds die a hideously cruel death. As a vegan of 35 years I can assure you that no cruelty to animals is necessary in order to enjoy a healthy and happy life.
Jenny Moxham,
Monbulk.