CASES of cruelty to our fellow creatures are never far from these pages. It has always been my contention that the British are anything but a nation of animal lovers and the onset of spring and early summer always seems to confirm this belief.

Every year - particularly at this time - decent members of the public must suffer their sensibilities being assaulted by incidents that not only sicken but also bring on feelings of despair.

The most vulnerable species seem to be nesting birds. Ducks, swans and other waterfowl appear to be the main targets, possibly because evolution has not yet taught them what a dangerous predator man can sometimes be.

However, it is not just wild animals that must endure being shot, bludgeoned or otherwise despatched. Household pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs often live out their inevitably shortened existences in squalor and misery in forgotten hutches, having been discarded once it becomes apparent they are not just fluffy toys to be played with and then placed in some convenient cupboard.

In both these scenarios, it is invariably children and teenagers who cause such suffering. The answer is better education, not just at schools, but also in the home. There is undoubtedly a cruel gene in human beings that needs to be suppressed. And of course, should all else fail, there is always the magistrates court.