DOGS NEGLECTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 281, 27 November 1928, Page 19

DOGS NEGLECTED.

FARM AT CASTLECLIFF. OWNER TO BE SENTENCED. EIGHT ANIMALS DESTROYED. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") WANGANUI, Monday. A sequel to the discovery of a dog farm in the lupins at Castlecliff was heard in the Police Court to-day, -when Gebrge Atkinson was charged with permuting unnecessary cruelty, and failing to'provide adequate food and water. The evidence of a Government veterinarian showed that seven of the dogs were in a bad way in various stages of distemper, and in two cases their teeth drppped out. He ordered these dogs to be destroyed. The shelter was inadequate, and a bitch with pups had no range to exercise owing to her chain being tangled in the lupins. Two dogs were confined in crates, with no room to extend themselves. They were savage, and had been trying to eat their way out through the battens. Mr. Johnston, S.P.C.A. inspector, said he destroyed eight dogs, after telling Atkinson what he intended to do. Atkinson replied that he would "fix" witness, and was very abusive. Portions of the carcases of two dead dogs had shown signs that they had been eaten by other dogs. „,,»„. « The defence was a denial of the allegations of cruelty. Atkinson said that the dogs were fed and watered daily, and that ho had been treating them for disease. The magistrate said he had no doubt that the dogs were suffering from distemper, hut defendant did not realise it. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence in a week's time.