Meanwhile, over in Pakistan the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is fighting the blood-sport of bear-baiting.

In this the bear is not killed but has had its teeth and claws pulled out, rendering it defenceless against the dogs that are trained to attack it, for the pleasure of on-lookers.

WSPA has also recently committed to fund a specialist UK Metropolitan Police team to fight animal trafficking, a major source of revenue for organised criminal gangs, and this is thought to be a first for the charity sector.