THERE has been a sickening increase in animal cruelty lately – a cat being put in a microwave was just one of the barbaric acts carried out.

I am absolutely devoted to animals, I love them more than some of the morons who have the audacity to call themselves human.

If these morons are doing this because it makes them feel big and tough, then one day they will be in for a rude-awakening. These are animals with emotions and feelings who hurt and feel pain too.

Then I hear of people who are getting rid of family pets they have had for years because they cannot afford to keep them. Some of these people probably drink and smoke. You just do not get rid of a pet you have had perhaps all of its life. They become or should become an integral part of the family and you should make cutbacks elsewhere to compensate.

Everyday a headline catches my eye, some sickening act of cruelty. I do know not enough is being done to stop this from happening, animal cruelty crimes should automatically mean a prison sentence, a life-long ban from ever having animals, and injunctions to be ban them from all areas with animals, such as zoos. You just cannot be hard enough on such morons.

Josephine Lewis

Henbury