SHEEP-WORRYING

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 225, 19 June 1936, Page 15

SHEEP-WORRYING

Paekakariki Farmer Claims

Damages

Sheep-worrying at Paekakariki, where, it was stated, alsatian dogs were seen to tear the throats out of two ewes, and to worry a number of others, led to a civil action yesterday before Mr. J. 11. Luxford, S.M.. in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington. Plaintiff was Harold Smith, farmer, of Paekakariki, owner of the dead ewes. Defendant was C. John Kean, civil servant, also' of Paekakariki, whose dog was alleged to have been one of the two involved in the worrying. Plaintiff claimed £3/10/-, the value of the two dead ewes, as well as £lO general damages for worrying the sheep, and applied for an order that the dog should be destroyed. Mr. E. D. Blundell, who appeared for Smith, said that the worrying of plaintiff's sheep by two alsatians was seen by two eye-witnesses, one of whom tried, without success, to shoot the dogs. The dogs had been recognised, both at tue time and later, when the eye-witnesses visited the homes of the owners with Constable Smith, of Paekakariki. Defendant's dog was a menace and should be destroyed. , The owner of the other alsatian which took part in the worrying was stated to have agreed to its destruction. Mr. A. J. Mazengarb. who appeared for Kean, said people frequently mistook defendant's dog for a dog belonging to other people. "The whole question is one of identity. The dog’s life is at stake,” said tne magistrate. He reserved his decision until he had been to Paekakariki and seen the dog for himself.