October marks the start of the British pheasant shooting season but please spare a thought for the often-forgotten partridge. For him a cruel death comes a month earlier on September 1. Every year, five million partridges are bred specifically for sport killing in Britain.

Because the partridge is monogamous, breeding pairs are held captive for their whole lives in small, galvanised boxes on huge game farms in conditions that would be illegal for chickens. When one partner dies another is substituted.

Pheasant shooters often regard partridge shooting in September as an opportunity to ‘get their eye in’ for the main slaughter the following month. Speak out against the breeding of game birds for pleasure shooting. Support the campaign to banish unnecessary cruelty to animals from the 21st century!

KIT DAVIDSON Animal Aid Bradford Street Tonbridge