WORK OF S.P.C.A.

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 260, 30 July 1941, Page 10

WORK OF S.P.C.A.

Tribute To “Laddie,” The Dog Collector

INSPECTOR’S DUTIES

Praise for the work being carried on by “Laddie,” the official collecting dog of the Wellington branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was given yesterday by Mr. R. A. Nicol, inspector for the Wellington branch. “Laddie” succeeded “Shell,” a dog who retired from official work two years ago and whose death was announced recently. “The recent report of ‘Shell’s’ death has caused many lovers of animals to think that ‘Laddie’ is dead,” said Mr. Nicol. “That Is not so; he is alive and well, and carrying bn the good work of the society.” Since the war, the society—dependent on public donations tor carrying on its work —had experienced difficulty in operating, because of tSe'large number of other calls on the public purse, said Mr. Nicol. In spite of those difficulties the society satisfactorily carried ou work which covered a large field.

Mr. Nicol’s duties take him into all parts of the Wellington province and he must keep in touch with ail kinds of industries and commercial activities. He said yesterday that he made periodical calls on meat works, sale yards, abattoirs and butchers’ shops, in addition to the carrying out of investigations into private complaints regarding cruelty to animals. “At the end of winter there are always numerous complaints that farmers' are carrying stock with insufficient feed tor them,” he said. “These complaints have to be investigated. I also have to look into the bobby-calf trade, to see that the calves do not suffer unduly, as some calves are weaker than others and often fall down in the lorries and trucks and get trampled by the stronger calves. I also receive complaints about sheep dogs not. having proper kennels Some farmers have tied their dogs to post and wire fences, and have left them out in all weather, with the.result that they have suffered unnecessarily.”

He regretted to say, he added, that he was not always a popular visitor when he made his rounds, but putting up with unpopularity was part of bis job.