Take animal abusers to task

Readers call for stricter enforcement of laws restricting ownership of wild animals. Other topics: Bernie Sanders, House of One, murder

Readers call for enforcement of laws restricting ownership of wild animals. Lauren Lancaster / The National

I refer to the question you have posted on Facebook with regard to the editorial, Where lions wander (January 24). My suggestion is this: confiscate exotic animals from their owners and make them pay for the animal's return trip to a sanctuary or wild animal rehabilitation centre in its natural habitat. I assume that is not going to be a cheap thing to pay for.

It would be even better to slap a big fine in addition to all this and give the money from those fines to the various animal rescue efforts around the country.

Katie Marie, Abu Dhabi

There needs to be stricter laws in place to protect these exotic animals from being illegally smuggled into the country. Also, the owners of such animals must face hefty fines.

To take wild animals away from their natural habitat is a cruel thing to do.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Why didn’t your story mention anything about the owner of the lion? The first step to end this problem is to reveal the identity of the culprit, as he deliberately jeopardised people’s lives.

The owner of the lion should be brought to justice. There should be no excuses.

Anne Williams, Dubai

Germany shows the way to unite different faiths

I loved the concept of the House of One (Three faiths, one building, January 24). This is the best way to bring peace. The three religions –Islam, Christianity and Judaism – have more similarities than differences.

I’m talking about the religions, not the followers of these faiths.

Refat Islam, Dubai

It’s time to admit that Germany today shows us the way forward.

Frederic Czechlewski, Belgium

US ought to focus inward

According to the article The distorted radicalism of Bernie Sanders (January 25), the US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is radical because he thinks America's role is not to be the sole policeman for the world. Really? What about having the Arab nations get some skin in the game?

Coalitions are exactly what we need. If no one wants to help, it’s not America’s problem. America is not making friends when it sends in thousands of drones and blindly bombs populations.

Let Americans rebuild their infrastructure. You want to be safe? Make the country healthy and sound on the home front. The country’s power grid is a house of cards. Its interstate system is falling apart. It’s way too fossil-fuel energy dependent.

If every home and every city had independent power, one well-placed bomb would cease to be a threat. Even Ronald Reagan knew strength comes from within.

Jim Fromm, US

It’s a well-written article, but if you think any US presidential candidate is going to say anything critical about Israel, well, don’t hold your breath.

There is a saying in the US that all politics is local, and I think it sums up why Mr Sanders will focus on the economy and why no candidate will be critical of Israel in the run-up to the election.

David Debye, US

Ignoring abuse same as abuse

I was sad to read about the maid who was beaten to death by her employer (Woman to stand trial in Dubai for beating housemaid to death, January 25). The neighbours should all be fined for hearing the maid screaming and not reporting to the appropriate authorities. May the victim rest in peace.

Chukwuebuka Momah, Nigeria

The neighbours should also be on trial as accessories to the murder.

John Barganier, Dubai