Dog dispute got ‘out of hand’

Press, 9 May 1980, Page 5

Dog dispute got ‘out of hand’

A domestic dispute be-, :tween neighbours that had' I "got out of hand" had its !sequel in the Christchurch ; 'District Court yesterday. •'] A 26-year-old seaman,:: (Robert Victor Skeaping, p ,! pleaded guilty to a charge ofh I carrying a firearm. He was ; I convicted and fined $7O. i Judge Palmer said the 'defendant’s arrest by thej: armed offenders squad and,! jhis subsequent acquittal oni ia charge of threatening to ] ikill had been a “salutary ex-h Iperience” for the defendant, j i In some respects thei: defendant had already paid al: penalty as he had felt “the sting of publicity” when the L previous matter’was brought.' ito trial, said Mr Palmer. Counsel (Mr S. G. Barker);: Isaid Skeaping had walked!

I home past the complainant's 'house on October 16 when) he was accosted by the dog,! a Pomeranian cross, which! had barked at him and had; to nip his ankles.l I The dog’s owner had come 'out and told him to "get! away" and that the dog was' “all bark." The dog had caused a dis-. jturban.ee in the neighbour-: ihood. biting children and! ; terrifying pensioners and had attacked the defendant' ion other occasions. j Skeaping had gone home, land got his shotgun, and re-; i turned to the neighbours' property where he had ai iconfrontation with the dog’s; ;owners. The gun was not; .loaded and he had no ammu-i nition in his possession. I Mr Barker said the; i defendant was trying to! [point out in a very vividf I wav that he would kill thej ■dog if it happened again. Hei idid not intend to use the: gun on this occasion, hei 'said. The dog had sub-! sequently been destroyed. i