All of the methods of catching moles described in your article (The long read, 8 March) rely on the violent crushing of a sentient creature. Society wouldn’t tolerate killing a dog in this way, yet moles have a nervous system similar to dogs’ (and humans’), which strongly suggests they are capable of feeling pain and thus suffering. As the article indicates, the total cost of mole “damage” is very low but as it is part of the routine, casual cycle of killing practised by country dwellers we’re expected to accept it. All this because of a few piles of earth on a lawn.

The destruction of wildlife should be prohibited unless absolutely necessary – and only after there is evidence that damage is substantial, cannot be prevented by other intervention and that the killing can be done humanely.

Applying such simple principles would soon stop causal destruction of wildlife, particularly if citizens played a part in the decision-making. As a veterinarian with over 30 years’ experience in controlling livestock disease, I am confident in stating that the assertion that moles play anything more than a trivial part in transmission of disease to livestock is risible.

Alick Simmons

Ilminster, Somerset

• As a lifelong victim of mole incursions, I can attest to the real danger they pose to human limbs. When a lawn is booby-trapped by a vast network of invisible mole tunnels just below the surface, walking on it becomes a game of Russian roulette. Many times a year the ground suddenly collapses under the weight of my step, causing my ankle to bend, sprain or break. On a warm day, I will sit beside an evolving molehill with an air rifle, ready to execute the perpetrator. But it can be a long wait and, often, the mole-catcher is called in.

Simon Chapman

Kiln Green, Berkshire

• Your article reminded me of an incident during a visit to South Africa a few years ago. We stayed in a house in an affluent suburb of Port Elizabeth and the lawn at the front of the house had a number of molehills. Having successfully trapped moles at home, I thought I would do the same for our hostess, as a small token of gratitude for her hospitality. I walked to a small garden centre nearby, and arrived just as the owner drew up in her pick-up truck. As she opened up the shop I said: “Do you have any mole traps?” She replied firmly that she didn’t stock them, because she regarded them as inhumane. I left feeling ashamed. As I passed the owner’s truck I noticed the bumper sticker, which read: “Bring back hanging.”

David Hoult

Stockport

• My local mole-catcher tells me that rather than selling moleskins for gentlemen’s waistcoats, until recently they were sold to plumbers who used them to wipe and shape the hot lead on pipe repairs, thus producing a velvet finish to their work.

Brian Ingram

Northampton

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