“A CRUEL SPORT”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 10

“A CRUEL SPORT”

Woman Protests Against Coursing Hares Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, May 19. At a meeting of the Otago Society for tiie Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to-day a letter was received from Mrs. E. Barton, Victoria Road, stating that she had witnessed coursing at. Forbury Park from her back yard and tnat she had felt so disgusted that she had felt it her duty to protest against such a cruel sport. Although seven hares had escaped while she had watched one had been caught and it was horrible. The writer suggested that the time had come for the use of tin hares, and concluded: “Of course only people of inferior Intellect and coarse natures could enjoy such sport with live animals.” The chairman, Mr. Crosby Morris, said that they had had this matter before them on several occasions in past years.

Mr, J. C. Willis: It is opening up a big question if we interfere. The Government allows coursing. The secretary: We have no standing in the matter. The chairman said that if the society were to bring a case before tiie courts it would be laughed at. The matter had been frequently considered, but the law did not allow of any interference by the society. It was decided to inform the writer that the society was not prepared to do anything regarding her complaint.