Letter.

Letter Published in The National UAE on 12June 18Abandoning pets should be treated as a criminal offence

I write in response to your editorial There should be zero tolerance towards animal cruelty (10 June): The National's editorial was a meaningful read. The quote by Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi was apt and also true.

A country's moral progress is indeed determined by the way its animals are treated.

Abandoning pets should be treated as an offence and those engaging in such activity should be severely punished.

K Ragavan, Denver