Culling loophole harms fawns too

YOUR article on the rise in deer and salmon poaching (News, 17 January) mentioned the cruelty involved when a hind with a dependent fawn is killed. Sadly, that is just as likely to happen during legal culls as traditional close seasons are suspended.

It is vital police forces are fully resourced to tackle poaching and all other aspects of wildlife crime. This must include police operating in urban areas, since deer poaching in city parks is also increasing. As well as tackling wildlife crime it is essential MSPs introduce and uphold laws to close the loopholes in current legislation that permit cruelty to animals by allowing culling during breeding seasons.

A fawn left to starve to death suffers just as much if its mother is shot by an illegal poacher or legal culler.

John Robins, Animal Concern Advice Line