DOG'S LOST TAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 115, 18 May 1927, Page 14

DOG'S LOST TAIL.

OWNER AWARDED DAMAGES

EX-MANAGER SUED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Tuesday. The severance of the handsome bushy tail of a valuable collie dog, led to an action in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when Bruce Johnetone, farmer (Taupiri) claimed £20 from John Anderson, who formerly acted as plaintiff's farm manager. Plaintiff purchased the collie for £20, and told Anderson, who was then manager, that he would work the dog himself, and instructed Anderson not to use the animal. The dog had a beautiful bushy tail, and was a splendid animal in appearance. One day on entering the milking shed, Anderson said he had cut the tail off the dog, as.it was too slow in turning when rounding up cattle. Plaintiff immediately went to see the dog and found its tail severed close to the body. This was in mid-summer, and the dog was in considerable agony by reason of the.flies pestering the severed etump. It had also been spoiled for work. Anderson told the court a somewhat different story. He said the dog broke loose from its chain and, after worrying a cat, got caught in some pig wire. Defendant procured a knife, with the idea of cutting the hair free from the wire, but accidentally nicked the flesh. The dog then twisted and broke its tail. It had already bitten him while he was trying to extricate it. His Worship said it was incredible that when defendant merely touched the hair with the knife the tail fell off. Plaintiff was awarded £10 and costs.