F you had a dog or cat, which was in constant pain and couldn't feed or clean itself and needed assistance to go to the toilet, but you refused to have it put down, you would, quite rightly, be liable to prosecution, for causing suffering to an animal.

Diane Petty is 42 and suffers from Motor Neurone disease, a progressive disease which has so far deprived her of her power of speech, the ability to feed or dress herself and most of the other functions most of us take for granted, and her condition is worsening all the time.

Faced with a future of less and less dignity, this brave woman wants to choose when her life should end.

Unfortunately for Mrs Petty, the effects of the disease prevent her from committing suicide, meaning she needs the help of someone else to do it.

To this end, Mrs Petty went to court, to ask for her husband to be given immunity from prosecution, if he assists her in killing herself.

However, the all knowing judges who heard her appeal have decreed that she cannot be allowed to have assistance, from her husband, to end her own life.

How pathetic our justice system is, when it will prosecute a loving husband for ending the life of his suffering wife while, at the same time, prosecuting someone who refuses to end the life of their suffering pet.

Mr T.R. Miles

Teak Stret

Bury