LIKE many other people, I was shocked and annoyed to read details of Prince Edward beating a gundog during a royal shooting party over the festive season.

Animal lovers consider it bad enough that the Royal Family are privileged to shoot birds, but there are no excuses for this “spoiled brat” to lose his temper as he did on a defenceless dog.

As there were pictures of the prince striking the dog, it is ludicrous for Buckingham Palace to come out and say that it is unlikely that he did. Wishful thinking, no doubt.

This is not the first time Prince Edward has been involved in cruelty to animals. In 2005 he battered an injured pigeon to death after it had been shot.

We all know that an act of such cruelty warrants police intervention and prosecution.

If it was a member of the public involved then they most certainly would be hauled before the court. I doubt this will happen with such a senior Royal involved; it would set a precedent if it did.

After all, we are all equal before God.

J H Roy, Hadrian Avenue, York.