TO HELP THE ANIMALS SOCIETY'S ANNUAL REPORT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 84, 6 October 1909, Page 3

TO HELP THE ANIMALS SOCIETY'S ANNUAL REPORT.

TREATMENT OF HORSES. In his annual report, submitted at a meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals yesterday, the Inspector (Mr. Seed) drew attention to the large increase in the number of injured and decrepit horses destroyed during the year under review. Altogether, ninety-one animals were destroyed. "In many cases," says the report, ' ' horses have been turned out without getting professional attention, which, had the owners obtained, I have no doubt many would have recovered." Underfeeding, it is mentioned, is also very prevalent in and around Wellington. OVERLOADING AND FAULTY SHOEING. There is no improvement in overloading, and local carts, which are licensed to carry two tons, should, in Mr. Seed's opinion, be reduced to 30cwt. "As in the past, bad shoeing is undoubtedly responsible for the lameness ' of many horses, and there is certainly great need for the passing of a Farriers Bill, or some such measure that will ensure that only competent men shall be licensed to undertake the woik." PLACES VISITED. During the year the inspector visited the following places : Palmerston North, Levin, Plimmerton, Porirua, Johnsonvillo, Crofton, Upper and Lower Hutt, Petone, and suburbs. THANKS. Thanks are due to the following :—: — Mr. Reakes, Chief Government Veterinary Surgeon, and staff, also Mr. Quinnell, M.R.C.V.S., who have rendered valuable help; Justices of the Peace, who have given a good deal of their time to inspect horses before giving an order for their destruction ; to the public who havo notified Mr. Seed of many very bad cases of cruelty which otherwise would have passed unattended to; to the Inspectors of Police and Staff; to the Harbour Board and staff for assistance to prevent overloading; the City Council for free pass on trams ; the Government' for pass on the railway, and to the press. CASES DEALT WITH. The cases dealt with from end of September, 1908, to 30th September, 1909, were as follows :—: — Working lame horses, 75; working horses with sore backs and shoulders, 34 ; old and decrepit horses destroyed, 91 ; undue severity in flogging horses, 23 ; over-loading horses, 19 ; underfeeding horses, 36 ; horses needing rest and treatment, 25 ; over-driving horses, 4 ; severely injuring horse's mouth, 1 ; warning drivers, 28 ; cruel treatment of cattle, 9 ; dogs destroyed, 8 ; overcrowding poultry 1 in transit, 5; cruelly ill-treating bird by burning, 1 ; cruelly ill-treating seagull with fish-hook, 1*; cruelly ill-treating moth hawk, 1 ; cruelly ill-treating parrot, 1 ; pony injured in eye by boy throwi-^; stone, 1; cats starved, 5 ; goat destroyed injured by dog, 1 ; rabbits being tortured by clogs, 3 ; cruelly ill-treating pigs, 2 ; 111treating calf", 1 ; sundry cases enquired into, 15. Proceedings were taKen in seventeen cases. Two were dismissed, and there were fifteen convictions recorded. FINANCE. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year is appended :—: — Receipts.— Balance from 1907-8, £47 ss ; total subscriptoins, £144 6s 3d ; subsidy, £5 ; sundries, 13s ; total, £197 4s 3d. Expenditure. — Inspector's salary^ £102 ; bonus, £5 ; collector's commission, £29 ; secretary's salary, £15 ; sundries, £21 15s 4d : balance at bank, £24 8s lid; total, £197 4s 3d. The case of Thomas William Arthur v. Albert Ernest Louis Bertling, was mentioned in Chambers yesterday, when Mr. Petherick, for plaintiff, applied for an extension of time allowed in which to give security (£7O) for costs in the libel action pending between tho parties. Extension was granted until 14th October. If the security be not deposited then tho action should stand dismissed. Defendant was allowed one guinea costs. The libel is based on an alleged slanderous statement mado by defendant, curator of Newtown Zfoologaca.l Gardens, against plaintiff, a one time employee of the same place.