TO ME the sentence handed out to those responsible for ill-treating an elephant was not only insulting but contemptible.

Ill-treating animals is as bad as ill treating children or the elderly, and those who ill-treat them should get the same sort of sentence.

I am sick of hearing of people getting such lenient sentences for acts of cruelty. Also the sentences for ill-treating children are far too low.

Robert D Greaves, Alder Way, New Earswick, York.