I WAS walking through York's King's Square, when I spotted a pigeon, obviously injured and distressed, sitting on a bench.

An old woman was sitting by it, and she told me she thought it had a broken leg. She wouldn't leave it because she feared some yob would come and "kick it about". We didn't know what to do. So I bought some bread to feed it. There is a phone box in King's Square, but no number for the RSPCA.

If it had been an elderly person taken ill I should have called 999 immediately - as I would if I had spotted a fire or an accident. Can anyone tell me who to call if an animal is in danger, so the appropriate organisation can turn up within a few minutes?

Ella Hirst,

Coggan Close,

South Bank,

York.

Updated: 11:32 Thursday, June 12, 2003