We discovered that its front paws appeared as if it had been tied together, and its back legs had been pulled apart, and what looked like a small hole or possible incision had been made. sadly, you could see the bone.

Every possible attempt was made that morning to find its owner, who, like us, will undoubtedly be devastaed.

Not knowing the best option of how to handle such a matter, we telephoned the RSPCA, which asked detailed questions and asked for a "close-up" description of the cat and any features, but sadly informed us that it was the job of the Peterborough City Council to remove the animal, which it did shortly after.

However, a little sympathy would not have gone amiss. While this may be an unpleasant job for anyone to do, it was felt that no compassion was shown, seeing that the city council employee did state that the cat would be checked to see if it had been microchipped.

We feel that whoever did this, was aware of what they were doing.

CCTV would be beneficial to residents of Meadenvale.

We, therefore, write in hope that its owners will come forward so that we can extend our sincere sympathy and support.

L Dyball and K Harrison and our families and friends,
Meadenvale,
Parnwell,
Peterborough


No deterrent for crime

When I was a teenager in the '50s, it was possible for a girl to walk home late at night quite safely, there was much less crime, and very few burglars carried a weapon, as they knew for sure they would be hanged for killing or very harshly treated in prisons.

Now it is very risky to use the cyclepaths or underpasses during the day.

there are about 20 murders a week and heaven knows how many attempted murders in Britain now all because there is no deterrent.

Thousands of elderly people would be better treated in prison with no bills, TV, a gym, preferential medical treatment, a choice of four menus, and free legal advice to sue if a warder swears at them, and a good supply of drugs if wanted.

It is ironic that one could be sent to prison for breaking the smoking ban, then allowed to smoke in the prison.

Robert Lane
Franklyn Crescent,
Peterborough


Energy proposal ticks all the right boxes
The last time a waste to energy plant was proposed on Storeys Bar Road by Global Olivine I have to admit that I was concerned about both the scale and what I thought might be untried and unproven technology.

From what I can see from the Peterborough Renewable Energy Ltd (PREL) website and reading the recent ET article, it would seem that the new proposal is really very different.

PREL says that these changes were brought about by listening to the public last time.

It is now proposing to use more conventional and "off the peg" equipment, and has halved the size of the plant.

Combusting waste or biomass is now accepted practice across mainland Europe – they woke up to the reality much sooner than the UK that combustion is the only viable alternative to landfill.

For once, it is encouraging to see private enterprise listening to the concerns of locals, instead of carrying on regardless and flying in the face of public opinion.

The fact that you can gain "green electricity" from the process is a fantastic added bonus, and anyone who thinks there are health hazards should talk to the Environment Agency – any compliant state of the art biomass combustion plant will actually clean up the air as it passes through the process.

If PREL is allowed to build its energy park, then such a development must be considered hugely advantageous to the city, not just in terms of providing green energy, but also in heading off rubbish that currently goes to the Dogsthorpe tip and elsewhere.

PREL's energy park should be given the "green light" by the city council and the Government – what possible reason can there be to object to a project that is clean, green, on zoned land, halves the city's carbon footprint, looks great visually, enhances bio-diversity and won't cost the taxpayer a single penny?

Peter Fierro
by e-mail


Way to round up the drunks

I am writing in response to the previous letter on the subject of a mobile prison bus in the city centre.

I think that it would be a good idea as it would be clearing up the people who, after a good night out drinking, want to spoil everyone's night by misbehaving in the city centre.

I agree that this may be an eyesore that could stick out, but, on the other hand, I think it would remind people that there is a police presence in the area which would discourage them to misbehave, or take the people who are ruining people's nights out just because they had a few too many.

The question i ask you would be, would you want a random stranger to come up to you after drinking too much alcohol and ruin your night? I wouldn't think you would, which is why I think that this mobile prison idea would be a good idea.

Sean Fitzsimons
by e-mai