THE cruelty shown to birds of prey at a Cropton farm (Gazette & Herald, February 18) reminds me of last year’s badger case when dogs were used to inflict pain and suffering on defenceless animals who have done nothing wrong.

Both cases were before Scarborough magistrates. I said then how derisory the sentences were and here we go again. A £4,000 fine to a wealthy landowner is pocket money and has no impact on behaviour Indeed, the same defendant had a previous conviction for a similar offence and again paid only a fine.

Magistrates should reflect the views of their community. They did not then, and did not this time, despite the strength of feeling over cruelty like this. As far as I know there is no mechanism for the prosecution or the people to appeal against inadequate sentencing in cases like this. And so it will go on.

The rearing of thousands of game birds in order that they can be easily shot by those who actually enjoy that sort of killing is a plague in rural society.

I do see some parallels with another plague, which is soon to be upon us. That of fracking. There is a real prospect of Ryedale turning into an industrial landscape over the next few years unless public opinion stands against it and true democracy returns to Ryedale.

Where public opinion – better still a local referendum – takes precedence over corporate power and greed. If landowners can stand firm and united against fracking companies trashing the countryside and local people show their resistance then we may have a chance.

The problem is the fracking companies have a head start if they can find landowners exploiting these green fields with the same degree of indifference as that shown by themselves – brothers in arms to be sure. Rearing birds for men with guns to enjoy killing and fracking companies have much in common.

They both get very rich regardless of the irrevocable damage to the environment and all those who dwell in and upon it.

Peter Johnson, Kirkbymoorside