RIGHT OF DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 91, 19 April 1939, Page 17

RIGHT OF DEFENCE

WHEN DOGS RUSH OUT

OBLIGATION ON OWNERS

- The rights of human, beings to defend tmemselves against attacks .by animals, and the obligations on owners of dogs, were referred to by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today, when dismissing a case brought against a motor-cyclist, who, it was alleged by the prosecution, had thrown a metal sump from a motorcycle at a clog in Johnsonville, inflicting a wound on its nose.

"In cases of cruelty to animals, of course, the Court takes a very severe view," said the Magistrate. The Act has been enacted for the purpose of preventing any cruelty to dumb animals, but yet there is another side of the matter—the right of persons to protect themselves against animals.

"Motor-cycles are dangerous enough themselves, but unfortunately cases have come before me recently in which it seems that the danger of motorcycles is increased by dogs rushing put and pestering motor-cyclists.

"The public do not realise that there is" an absolute liabiltiy on the owner of a dog that does rush out in that way, and any animal that rushes. out at a pei'son, so that property or limbs are liable to be endangered, may be destroyed." In the csAft which came before him, said the M^istrate, he was satisfied that the motor-cyclist's action was not unreasanble, and he was merely acting in self-defence.