Worn-out horses
From Mrs Iris Coombs Sir: An answer to Mr Skinflint on his paragraph in The Spectator (February 5).
I may be "an old trout" (probably am) but I'm a mother and grandmother so I've no reason to be jealous — as suggested by Mr S. Neither do I think I am a sentimentalist as although I deplore the practice — I can see a certain logic in the idea of a painless death for worn-out horses. I feel they should have a few months or years in ease and comfort and freedom.
However, I do deplore the attitude of people who say humans matter but animals don't. Why this ' either/or ' business?
Children and old people enjoy the benefits of the Welfare State (no WS for animals), also they are articulate and in many cases can complain about their grievances. I begrudge these humans none of this help but why should it be at the expense of a suffering animal?
As to the complaint that four times as much money is given to help animals I am told by officials of one animal welfare society that there is four times as much cruelty to animals as to children — a point difficult to prove I admit.
I'm very sorry for Mr Skinflint who has obviously never enjoyed the trust and love of a domestic animal. He loses so much in life. Iris Coombs 52 Anthony's Avenue. Parkstone, Dorset
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