The informative comments of George Leslie (Letters, December 15) are to be welcomed. Quite apart from his professional knowledge on the subject of docking dogs, Mr Leslie, a loyal SNP member for many years, is not averse to publicly state his outrage at the apparent indifference to this cruel practice by the Scottish Government.

In an era when politicians are regularly exposed to having traduced their office it is refreshing that Mr Leslie places his party loyalty secondary to his own principles on what is right and proper.

Perhaps once the pause-for-thought period of consultation occurs the Government will realise that public sympathy lies overwhelmingly with the distressed animals and not with the whims of the Scottish hunting/shooting fraternity.

Allan C Steele,

22 Forres Avenue,

Giffnock.