THE Grand National is nearly upon us again, when many people like to indulge in a little ‘flutter’.

I am convinced that most people believe this to be a benign activity and do not actually realise, that by placing a bet on a horse, they are - by proxy - inflicting suffering and quite often injuries and sometimes even death upon the horses forced to run this treacherous course.

Why do we have to involve animals in our national pastime of trying to get rich quick?

Would it not make more sense to bet on human runners, who would run voluntarily and not, like those unfortunate horses, get beaten into submission and forced to take on obstacles that are clearly beyond the capability of some and extremely stressful for all?

Please stop and think what the Grand National stands for - namely unnecessary suffering for the horses for a few minutes of excitement for the spectators and betting people.

Please buy a lottery ticket from a national charity instead.

ANNA STRACKE
Taunton