HOW sad that yet another family is being prosecuted by the RSPCA, which is supposed to be an animal welfare charity, because they did not have the money to pay for veterinary treatment. We at the Self Help Group for Farmers, Pet Owners and Others experie

HOW sad that yet another family is being prosecuted by the RSPCA, which is supposed to be an animal welfare charity, because they did not have the money to pay for veterinary treatment.

We at the Self Help Group for Farmers, Pet Owners and Others experiencing difficulties with the RSPCA have been campaigning for a national health service for the animals of pensioners for some years. We believe this would do more to improve animal welfare than all of the legislation that has been passed by this Government, or all of the prosecutions brought by the RSPCA.

How does it help to put people like the Fishpools (The Hunts Post, June 20) through the misery and stress of being prosecuted for being poor? They are not alone in this. Even people who have approached the RSPCA for help have been prosecuted by them.

It does nothing for the welfare of other animals who are part of the family if their owners are banned from having custody of animals. The RSPCA's own figures show that 50 per cent of all living creatures that enter the care of the RSPCA die.

Anyone with concerns about the activities of the RSPCA may be interested in signing the petition for a public inquiry which can be signed at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/rspcainquiry/ and which has over 1,900 signatures.

The SHG runs a helpline for people who have problems with the RSPCA, and any of your readers who have had a visit from the RSPCA should call us on 08700 72 66 89 or visit our website at www.the-shg.org/

ANNE KASICA, The SHG, Carmarthenshire