Wildlife law enforcement

The rise in poisoning of birds of prey (your report, 23 September) supports previous calls for increased resources for wildlife law enforcement. This illegal persecution has been allowed to continue year after year due to a lack of specialist police resources, insufficient cases getting to court, inappropriate penalties, etc. It is time each police force had a dedicated wildlife crime officer and the courts must start treating such crimes with severity.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Sep 2005, 01:00 BST

ROSS MINETT

Director, Advocates for Animals

Queensferry Street

Edinburgh