KILLING OF HORSES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30540, 8 September 1964, Page 3

KILLING OF HORSES

Licence Not Required The killing of horses for pets’ meat on a West Melton property is to be kept under review by the Paparua County Council. The council last night decided that if there was an increase in the killing then the owner should be required to take out an offensive trade licence. The matter was investigated by the Health Department inspector at the request of the rural district committee of thr council. The inspector advised the committee that the land was owned by Mr N. S. Hall who used the land for farming purposes and as a depot for horses to be killed for two city pet meat shops he conducted with his brother. Mr Hall estimated he killed about two horses a week. He said he preferred to destroy the animals on the farmer’s property but when this was not possible the West Melton property was used. The killing was carried out with a humane killer about half a mile from the road.

The inspector said the slaughtering of animals for any purpose other than human consumption was an offensive trade under the Health Act and required the consent of the local authority and the Medical Officer of Health. “However, I feel that the limited killing done does not require licensing under the act and is, perhaps, not more than, would be done on the average farm.”