ANYONE viewing a recent television broadcast on bear-baiting would have been appalled and sickened by the cruelty. Bears taken from the wild in other lands, sometimes snatched from their mothers at an early age, trained to perform for what may be a pittance and brutally treated.

To stop them biting, all their teeth are extracted and a tether is then inserted through a soft, fleshy past of the nose, causing them pain if they try to pull away.

To the owners this may be a sport or provide them with a small income. I am sure all decent minded people would abhor such treatment of animals. All creatures, pets, guard dogs are entitled to at least a minimum standard of life.

Good luck to the rescuers and organisations who seek freedom for the unfortunate animals, also the RSPCA who do a wonderful and sometimes hazardous job.

ROSEMARY SPEDDING (Mrs), Oswald Street, Accrington.