CRUELTY TO A HORSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 196, 17 August 1906, Page 5

CRUELTY TO A HORSE.

WITHOUT PROPER FOOD OR WATER.

Before Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M., in the Police Court this morning, Robert A. Donaldson pleaded not guilty to a charge of cruelly ill-treating a horse by failing to provide it with proper and sufficient food. The first witness for the prosecution was James H. Norgrove, who said that he fed the horse, which was left in the defendant's yard, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. From Monday until Thursday witness did not see the defendant in the yard feeding his horse. On Friday witness told his boy to take the animal some food. On Thursday witness believed that Donaldson fed his horse. Cross-examined, witness said that he gave the horse at least four hard feeds. Ultimately he communicated with the police. To Mr. Dyer: The yard was quite bare, and witness saw the 'house eating no food with the exception of that which he provided. Evidence was given by Mrs. Norgrove corroborating the evidence of the previous witness. She gave the horse food and water, as it appeared to be very hungry, and had been biting at a quani tity of dirt. It had its mouth full of earth. Constable Boag, who went to the de-. fendant's premises, described finding the animal, without food or water, iv a yard which was in a filthy state. The constable did what he could, and when he drew the defendant's attention to the state of things, Donaldson said he fed the horse once, and had sent a boy also. The defendant on oath said he fed the horse each day but Friday, sometimes at three o'clock and sometimes at five o'clock. When he spoke to the constable he made a mistake in saying that he fed it once. He meant once each day.. To the Sub-Inspector, witness said he' thought he was treating the horse well whin he gave it one feed of chaff and bran per day. Sub-Inspector Gordon: "You think that is enoughs Well, 1 would not like to be your horse." To Mr. Dyer, witness said he was positive he gave the horse food on Thursday and Saturday. Mrs Norgrove, recalled, said in answer to his Honor that she did not think that anyone could have fed the horse between three and five without her hearing them. In giving judgment Air. Dyer said he thought it was a case of cruelty. If the horse had been on grass it might have been different, and that was giving the defendant the benefit of the evidence he had given. People in charge of any animal should give proper food and water at least. "If you had the same treatment mjeted out to you, you would not think tb'at it was all right," continued Mr Dyer. "I don't call you a man to treat a horse like that. Men who are cruel have very little pluck as a rule." His Worship fined Donaldson £5 and costs £1 11/, payment to be within a week, the default being fixed at one month's imprisonment.