So it is cruel to shear sheep (Shortcuts, G2, 26 November), according to Peta. On the contrary, for the majority of modern sheep it is cruel not to shear them. Domestic sheep do not naturally shed their winter coats. If one year’s wool is not removed by shearing, the next year’s growth just adds to it, resulting in sheep that overheat in summer. They have greatly decreased mobility and are in much greater danger from fly-strike, all of which causes suffering and possible death.
Anyone advocating not shearing sheep should try keeping their cosy insulating plant-fibre coat on all through the summer and then add another one on top each year. The inability of sheep to shed their fleece has come about as a result of human intervention over thousands of years, making them forever reliant on humans for this part of their welfare. Shearing has to be done. It goes without saying that it should be done as kindly and gently as possible, and we have to work towards that end rather than cause infinitely greater harm by not shearing.
Tricia Holman
Colchester, Essex
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