"VERY PLAYFUL" DOG.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 20 May 1933, Page 10

"VERY PLAYFUL" DOG.

WELLINGTON OWNER FINED. A fine of 15/ was imposed upon Caesar Augustus Marquis in the Magistrate's Court at Lower Hutt for being the owner of a dangerous dog which attacked Charlotte Beatrice Jordan. Miss Jordan f»aid in evidence that as she was walking past Mr. Marquk' house in Hautana Square one evening the dog, an Alsatian, jumped out and bit her and tore her coat. Myra Hope Campbell, a member of the Lower Hutt division, of the St. John Ambulance, gave evidence of having examined the wound made by the dog on Miss Jordan. The wound was a bruise in the shape of teeth marks. Constable R. G. P. Jones read a statement from Mr. Marquis in which he admitted being the owner of the dog. Mr. Marquis had been previously warned about the dog, which was supposed to have attacked a lady. For the defence Mr. C. T?. Barrett pleaded not guilty. He submitted that the dog was not vicious, or dangerous, but very playful. Miss Jordan was nervous of Alsatians and the dog, which weighed 781b, had jumped up on her and marked her with his paw, not bitten her. "If the dog was possessed of the tendencies alleged there would have been very little left of Miss Jordan to-day," said Mr. Barrett, and he offered to bring evidence in support of his contentions. Mr. J. Miller, S.M., said that ho thought the dog had bitten Miss Jordan, though not intending deliberate harm. He could describe it as a playful bite, but people were entitled to be protected.

Through his counsel, Mr. Marquis gave an assurance that the dog would bo kept in an enclosure except when it was out on leash.