The burning funeral pyres of animal carcasses were described as "medieval and deplorable" by a Dutch minister, who would vaccinate.

It is almost impossible to believe that in the 21st Century we would have to witness these awful scenes.

Had vaccination been employed in this country at the start of the foot-and-mouth outbreak it could have contained the disease and saved hundreds of thousands of animals.

But the word cull is all we ever hear - and without even a hint of compassion.

Shame on those responsible for the mass slaughter of our animals.

-John Ovenden, Hawkhurst Road, Brighton