SIR - Regarding Alfie the kitten shot in the back.

I cannot understand the police comment: "that there was nothing to suggest it had been a malicious act".

What do they think it was then? The cat shot himself? A stray shot accidentally hit him? What if it had been a child?

Of course it was malicious and I am a great believer that whatever is done to animals should be meted out to the culprits if ever found.

It's the lowest form of cowardice to hurt creatures, who trust us and can't hit back.

And if gun crimes (even air rifles) are allowed to go unpunished it will lead to worse things in the future.

ANNE JORDAN, Evesham.