OUR local brewery in Blandford has been brewing Badger beer since 1875, so it is no wonder that we have a special affection with the animal.

The badger is the only predator of the hedgehog, but has no known predators itself, (other than humanity during the War, when they were caught and eaten due to the rationing of other meats,) and are able to fight off dogs, bears, and wolves.

So, other than the numerous roadkill casualties, they have been left unchecked for many years, and their numbers have escalated enough to be a reputed carrier of the bovine TB, which seems to be destroying expensive herds of cattle.

So, it is difficult to understand why Frances Perkins, (Have Your Say, 30th August), is taking a solo stance to stop drinking milk in support of badgers, as she feels ‘an accomplice in the extermination of badgers’ by doing so.

Yes, the badger is a cute animal, (or has The Wind In The Willows portrayal swayed us into believing this?), and so are hedgehogs, but neither are worth the lack of calcium in ones diet, leading to brittle nails and bones, teeth and hair falling out etc.

Agreed, one can take supplements, but the badgers will never know that Ms Perkins has been their personal Joan of Arc, and milk is one of the staples in keeping us fit and well, and better to consume than avoid.

There is a vast difference between enjoying our local natural wildlife and being overrun by them, and I am sure that the powers that be placed a great deal of thought and discussion into badger culling before deciding that it was the answer to the problem.

As an animal lover, the culling upsets me, too, but sometimes we have to look at the broader picture behind these apparent inhumane decisions, and reluctantly agree that it is the right thing to do to avoid farmers, for whom it appears there is no sympathy, going bankrupt.

ALAN BURRIDGE, Blandford Road, Upton, Poole