Dear Sir.

I would like to respond to Mr. Jason Endfield’s letter regarding the feeding of wild animals, (Newton News 13th April)

As he quotes from DEFRA that it may not be illegal to feed these animals. But I would like to point out that other wild animals such as Foxes, Rats, Mice. and other such vermin come under this category.

Would anybody like to leave food out for these wild animals? I think not. It has been known in the past where foxes have attacked young babies in their prams while in the so called safety of their own garden with horrifying results. Also how about the scenario where a child’s pet Rabbit for e.g. is playing in the confines of the back garden when it is attacked by such an animal. Who in their right mind would encourage such a thing?

We are constantly advised that if you like to feed the wild birds that frequent our gardens (and who doesn’t) not to leave such things out as meat products as this will attract vermin such as the aforementioned.

For goodness sake Mr. E. can we let some common sense prevail here and forget about your so called legal issues.

After all how would you explain to a young child that a fox has just ripped their pet rabbit’s throat out, or worse still should they witness such a thing. I mean it’s not “illegal” is it ?.

Mr. A. Elders

Hickstead Rise