Gamekeeper who poisoned birds of prey is a disgrace to the profession

George Aitken has let down all the law-abiding professional gamekeepers in Scotland with his disgraceful crime against wildlife (your report, 5 June) and he receives no sympathy or support from this organisation.

Gamekeepers across Scotland are appalled; for Mr Aitken to claim ignorance of the law beggars belief. Had he been a member of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, he would without doubt have been aware of the law and would have been expelled without further ado.

Anyone else tempted to take the law into their own hands in this fashion should understand the contempt in which he will be held by fellow keepers and understand that such acts s hinder the SGA's efforts to achieve a balance in the countryside that would allow wildlife, people and the economy to co-exist in harmony.

ALEX HOGG, Chairman, SGA Portmore, Eddleston, Peebleshire

It beggars believe that someone can commit such a catalogue of cruelty against wildlife and still be allowed to keep their job. I'm sure there are very few people who could be found guilty of gross misconduct in the workplace, break the law, obtain a criminal record and yet still remain in employment.

Admittedly, in this case the sheriff had no power to order George Aitken be sacked, but I doubt very much his employer will be rushing to sign his P45.

Sadly, this is how much of the commercial shooting industry works. Gamekeepers are under such pressure to protect the game that some will go to almost any length to stop predators getting to the birds before wealthy shooters can pay inordinate amounts of money for their bag.

I am fully aware that many gamekeepers are hard-working, honest people who are simply doing a job, but this latest case highlights what the League Against Cruel Sports has argued for many years: the commercial shooting industry is a bloody business and it's our wildlife which pays the price.

LOUISE ROBERTSON, Scotland Campaigner, League Against Cruel Sports, Rosyth Fife

Sheriff Kevin Drummond bemoans the fact that he does not have the power to disqualify a gamekeeper from his chosen profession despite his being convicted of eight offences under wildlife legislation.

The answer is simple - those convicted of serious wildlife crimes should not be considered fit and competent under firearms legislation and have their shotgun and firearms certificates revoked by the relevant chief constable.

Who would employ a gamekeeper without the ability to use a firearm?

ALISTER CLUNAS, Fareview, Banchory, Aberdeenshire