David Treacher, in reply to Eileen Girling's letter, is fully entitled to his views.

However, I like the words of the authoress of Black Beauty: "You may talk as much as you like about your religion; but if it does not teach you to be kind and caring towards animals as well as humans, then it is nothing but a sham."

Does your critic, for example, really support the fruits and practices of the modified battery cage system?

If, for another example, he condones the use of a large bird being incarcerated "for life" so as to provide one festive meal on Our Saviour's birthday, then I would say that he is either dangerously void of a necessary compassion or else he is a hypocrite to the Christian gospel we are called upon to preach – by deed as well as word – to every creature under the heavens.

Jesus referred to a mother hen as one that will fight (no doubt to its death?) to protect its young: "Gathering them under its wings."

Such birds, as mentioned, are even denied the possibility of doing this.

It is sad, indeed, that while well-intentioned animal activists seek to reform brutal and inhumane practices, that so many in the churches hold a compassion which – at the most – is limited to its own species

The Reverend James Thompson, Peace Haven, The Front Park Rd, Holywell, Clwyd.