First Hydatids Case Heard At Westport

Press, Volume C, Issue 29424, 28 January 1961, Page 15

First Hydatids Case Heard At Westport

The first case under the hydatids prevention regulations to be heard on the West Coast was dealt with by Mr G. A. Nicholls, S.M.. in the Magistrate’s Court at Westport yesterday when George Wright, a pig farmer, of Kew road, was fined £2 10s for allowing dogs access to raw offal at his premises on December 18.

Mr H. A E. Maitland, for the Agricultures Department, said that much publicity had been given to a local campaign to combat hydatids especially after it had been discovered that a Wesport child had contracted the disease. In this case Wright had admitted to the inspector that hb had seen dogs take food from his offal containers and that his fences were not dog proof. Grant L. Dare, the hydatids control officer for the Buller district, said he had visited the farm where he had seen some fences which were not dog proof and offal containers which were not covered. Witness said any fully grown sheep or cattle dog would have had no trouble in getting over Wright's fences. His farm was situated not far from the Domett street residential area where dogs were kept. To Mr J. Cadenhead, for the defendant .the inspector said he had seen no dogs on Wright's property. The inspector said that since he had told Wright he should cover his containers. Wright had co-operated to the utmost and had had new covers made Mr Cadenhead contended that the prosecution should have to prove in this particular case that dogs had had access to the farm as there had been none there when the inspectors had called The Magistrate disagreed Ho said if there was some indication that a dog could gain access, it constituted an offence. Counsel submitted that no dog could have got near the offal on the day of the visit as Wright was standing close to the containers. William Coppell, headmaster of the Granity School was called to interpret certain words in the Act. "If you are inviting him to interpret the Act, I will do that.” the Magistrate told Counsel. Mr Cadenhead: “I am cal-

ling h m with due respect to Your Worship." The Magistrate: Its all right as long as we are in the clear: The defendant said he always had a clear view of his drums and could easily disturb any dog prowling about. The drums had only been uncovered when the inspector was present To Mr Maitland Wright said his drums had only been uncovered for half an hour. The Magistrate said there was nothing doubtful In the Act about allowing access to raw offal as. access constituted an offence He found that the offal at Wright's ’ yard had been available to dogs who might have come around but he considered it would be very difficult for farmers to build a fence to keep dogs out He said that he had intended to impose a heavier penalty on this occasion but had taken into consideration the inspector's assurance that Wright was now co-operating in ever way possible.