CRUELTY TO A DOG.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19109, 19 September 1927, Page 11

CRUELTY TO A DOG.

TO THX EDITOK O* THI PBISS. Sir,—l heartily agree with Miss Hunter-Watts' point of view, regarding the apathy, if not something worse, displayed by a majority of the public towards cases of deliberate cruelty to dumb animals. Recalling some recent cases it appears futile to make any complaint ,/re cruelty, to the Society which clairiss to look into, or, if necessary, prosecute those guilty of cruelty to animals. During the past three month two separate complaints were made against one person, by different persons, the first case being some weeks* before the other, and affecting totally different animals. The first was" a very heartless action, the second caused the death of the animal, as well as • the law being broken in connexion with the case. No action was taken by the Society to punish the offender. Miss Hunter-Watts's action in bringing the matter before the public will be much appreciated by all animal lovers,—Yours, etc., L.K. Cliristchurch, September 16th. ["Every case, of alleged cruelty that is reported to the Society is thoroughly investigated," said Mr 6. T. Bullock, honorary secretary of the S.P.C.A., when this letter was referred to him. "Vej. - y often there is great difficulty in, gathering sufficient proof to enable a prosecution to be made, but whenever the inspector finds any reasonable grounds for it, the offender is brought to Court." Mr Bullock added that in a surprising number of cases that came before the Society, people were found trying to "use the organisation as' a lever, bringing petty : neighbourly quarrels before its notice and complaining bitterly ■ when they were told that' there was no justification _ for the Society,to conduct a prosecution: "We can only ask, in such a case, that the facts. be cited," * said Mr J. O. Jameson, when the letter was rer ferred to him. "When we are in.possession of these we will be able to investigate the. writer's complaint."] , -v ; - TO THE EDITOB OF THE PBISS. Sir,—The following is an extract from a letter in to-day's PnESs signed by a correspondent, "Human Animal": "When the owner discovered the ghastly mistake—not premeditated crime, as Miss Hunter-Watts wcmld have us believe—she was -a great deal more hurt than her dog." <if the positions were reversed, with thiß dog at the wheel and the owner of the car being dragged along the road by a piece of string, under similar circumstances, then, possibly, I may have believed her.—Yours, etc., > . C.V.K. . September 17tfe.

TO THE EDITOB OT THI PRESS. Sir, —Now' that Miss Hunter-Watts has drawn attention to a case of gross cruelty or carelessness: to . a , dog in Christchurch, I feel sure you will allow me to voice a protest against the treatment that many dogs receive,in country districts. It will scarcely .be denied that some dogs on farms and stations; are not;getting a,fair deal;and,there is no union or Arbitration Court t,o help them, although they give valuable assistance in the management .of sheep and: cattle. I wo.uld like, to make an appeal for a little more consideration for thousands of dogs who. lead lives of misery.' -It is quite common to see rabbit packs pitifully thin,, mangy; and vermin-ridden, * and although they earn big dividends for their owners,' they are sometimes tied up when there is little shelter, food, or water'. _ ; As for sheep dogs,- a visit to certain farms will reveal what is done for them. Their home is often a hole under a log . or an old. barrel, with the end£ knocked out. • No. provision is made'for water- in-;. the: swelteriiig heat. of • summer or for extra shelter from tlie storms o£ winter. Wfien not at work they are chained-amid' indescribable • filth; and occasionally some diseased offal is thrown to ithem; t Is it! any that hydatids t are rampant in the country, and that innocent people; suffer P Last winter the dogs throughout: New Zealand were decimated by distemper, a virulent disease which is! complicated by neglect and exposure. Weird and awful remedies were perpetrated, on; the poor animals, some having their" tails severed, others having tobacco, forced down their throats; or were being drenched with germ powder. Most animals ..rebel against, bad treatment. The cow'refuses her milk, the -horse becomes useless, and the pjrrunprofitable, but the dog demands notßing arid gives everything he will respond to his. master's call and, work cheerfully whether his stomach is full or empty. He is a loyal, trusting friend all day and every day. . I would appeal especially to owners of working dogs to-remember that the dog is a powerfn! factor in keeping up

the exports of this country .and deserves proper food arid.accommodation, not forgetting a;i occasional kind word, for how true it. is that the . Almighty lias endowed the-dog with two of His own Divine attributes, constancy and .unpurcliasable love."— Yours, etc., f.g.s. .. September lGtli, 1927. ;