I AM putting pen to paper to get this cruel experience out of my mind.

I was in my kitchen preparing lunch when I heard a terrific bang; it shook the windows.

I looked outside and on the ground was a beautiful pheasant dying. The colours of his feathers were magnificent.

The pheasant had been shot in both wings and could not make it over my roof to get away from the killing fields, so he hit my window and slid down bleeding, and now he is dead.

What cruelty to have to see, what suffering, pain and terror this poor bird went through – and they call this sport. This was very painful for myself and my family.

We are bird lovers and feed them every day, for they are a joy. In a few months, the pheasants I feed will be shot dead. Then it starts up again next year and they suffer the same fate.

Mrs B Mackfall, Scoreby, York.