Spare a thought for the poor old mole | Letters

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.