UNDER the cruel sun, an even more cruel spectacle is taking place. Chained to a post, a terrified brown bear is teased relentlessly by the excited crowd and stones are thrown.

But this is just the beginning. Suddenly a pack of snarling, snapping dogs begins to rip and tear at the animal's flesh until, maddened with pain, its inevitable, if slow, death is welcomed.

No doubt readers will assume this is a 16th century description of bear-baiting. Sadly it is not!

This "sport" flourishes in Pakistan to this day. Although the Pakistan Government eventually outlawed the practice in 1999, it has failed to enforce the law and up to 50 bears a year continue to suffer and die in this appalling way.

I therefore urge readers to write to the Pakistan Embassy at 31 Lowndes Square, London SW1, imploring their Government to enforce its law and to end bear-baiting.

SARA LEE,

Bury Old Road,

Whitefield.