Two items about animal cruelty in Times of Malta disturbed me during these festive days. The first item concerned Moody, a slender black foal who faced years of cruel mistreatment.

According to Estelle Duca, in ‘Plight of mistreated horses losing home’ (December 28), Moody was kept in a small, dirty place. When they found him, he was covered in cigarette burns.

He still holds his ears back in fear.

It is hard to believe that while the large majority of the Maltese people showed immense generosity for l-Istrina, to quote the President, we still witness cruelty towards innocent animals.

The second item concerned the racing pigeons of Mario Bonello: ‘Pigeon trainer’s fury as racers blasted from sky’ (December 28).

Some irresponsible hunter ruined Mr Bonello’s festive joy and left him broken-hearted after his beloved pigeons were shot dead while some returned injured.

This is not the first time that homing pigeons were shot at and such cowardly acts should be condemned by all those who love and protect animals.