CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23942, 8 May 1943, Page 6

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

AUTHENTICATION OF COMPLAINTS

To cover a territory extending from Kaikoura to the Rangitata river, the inspector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Mr D. J. White) is allotted nine gallons of petrol a month, tinder these conditions the scope of his work is strictly limited, and for this reason he has appealed for the full authentication of complaints about cruelty. These war-time difficulties were mentioned by Mr White yesterday when a letter to the editor of “The Press” making a complaint was referred to him. He said that the society made inquiries wherever possible; but it had been forced to take a chary; view of anonymous complaints. While it was appreciated that victimisation might be feared, names should be signed as a mark of good faith and they would be regarded as confidential. A good deal of time and petrol had been wasted recently following up malicious and. groundless complaints. The police and honorary inspectors were co-operating with the society to maintain its vigilance, but an appeal was made to all who had charge of stock to ensure their well-being. With winter approaching there were increased difficulties in caring for stock. Inquiries will be made into the complaint contained in the letter to the editor of “The Press” signed “Anti-Cruelty” which said:—“ There is an area of barren riverbed between Chaneys and Stewart’s Gully, covered with broom, willows, stumps, and fallen logs. There is absolutely no grass or feed, yet on this ground there are large numbers of starving cattle, many of them just moving skeletons. I write this letter with a view of drawing the attention of the S.P.C.A. inspector to the deplorable state of these poor brutes, and trust he will take immediate action and have this stock shifted where they can get something to cat. These cattle are in full view of travellers in the train, any of whom could confirm this complaint.”