News of Bruno sought

Press, 25 October 1984, Page 1

News of Bruno sought

Mr Stephen Young, owner of the missing Great Dane, Bruno, has asked the people who have his dog to get in touch with him. Speaking after he was convicted in the District Court yesterday for an attack by Bruno on a ■sctoplboy last month, said, “The Judge indicated that he might not order the dog’s destruction. He might order that he live somewhere away from my place near the school. “If I knew that Bruno was in good hands with the people who have got him I would be prepared to let them keep him.” Mr Young appeared in the District Court yesterday to face five charges connected with alleged attacks by Bruno. Judge Frampton dismissed four of the charges and convicted him on one. He adjourned the case to November 12, when Mr Young’s sentence, and Bruno’s fate, will be decided. (Report, page 4) Bruno gained notoriety last month when thejledcliffs Primary School’was closed for a day because of his alleged attacks. The police took custody of the dog but only days after he was transferred in great secrecy from the police kennels to the S.P.C.A. animal •home last week, he was seized by a group calling itself the Animal Liberation Front. The group cut its way through a barbed wire fence in the early hours of the morning when the S.P.C.A.'s guard dog was injured and not on duty.' Bruno has not been seen since, although his “liberationists” have sent a letter to newspapers explaining their action and enclosing two photographs of him with an unidentifiable bala-clava-clad person. Mr Young, who is a "bar manager at a Christchurch . hotel, said he had not Beard, from the people who had Bruno, and had no idea who they were. He said he missed having the dog with him. Janne, a female Great Dane still with Mr, Young, also appeared to be missing her mate. Mr Young said Bruno was worth $3OO to $4OO. He had had him for about two years.