Fur coats a symbol of shame

MR Raymond Young sees the ''sentiment against fur'' as ''infringing on the freedom of those who choose to wear'' it (Post, January 30). Is it not rather the case that the facts about fur are disturbing the conscience of the wearers, who are beginning to feel uncomfortable? It is cruel to inflict on animals the shock and pain of leg-hold traps. It is cruel to condemn them to the agony of death by anal electrocution, suffocation or poisoning with weed-killers. Animals suffer and die to satisfy the vanity of those who buy furas a symbol of wealth. Worldwide this is becoming a symbol of shame.

DOREEN DAVIES Deputy Executive Director Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals