CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Evening Star, Issue 21633, 31 January 1934, Page 3

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

MEETING OF SOCIETY The first meeting for the year of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held yesterday afternoon. Present were Air Crosby’ Morris (chairman), Messrs J. Stewart, S. P. Leith, A. D. Sutherland, J. C. Willis, E. C. Reynolds, W. Cooper, and the Rev. W. Saunders. The Chairman referred to the loss the society had sustained by the death of Air James M‘Gregor, members standing in silence as a mark of respect. Air J. R. Dickison was elected a member of the committee. EAR-AIARKING OF SHEEP. A letter was received from Mr George Uren, Willoughby, with regard to the ear-marking of sheep. The writer stated that he knew of cases where most of the ear had been taken off, and it was his opinion that not more than two marks should he allowed. Considering the small amount of pain inflicted during this operation, and the necessity’ for proper distinguishing marks, it .was decided that no action be taken.:

SLAUGHTERING OF ANIMALS. A copy of a letter sent to the Australian Minister of Agriculture with regard to the slaughtering of animals was received from the Western Australia Society for the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals, and it advocated in a covering communication the desirability of killing small animals in abattoirs by mechanical methods. The Chairman stated thatvthis matter had been investigated by the society a few years back. < , , “As far as the slaughtering of bullocks is concerned,” said the inspector. “ I have never yet seen the necessity for these animals to bo hit more than once. The first blow is usually sufficient.” On the motion of the Rev. Mr Saunders it was resolved that a sub-com-mittee consisting of Messrs Willis, Fountain, and the inspector, look into the matter and report at the next meeting. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Reporting on his activities during the past month, the Inspector stated that he had visited the following places Waitahuna, Lawrence, Ralclutha, Waikouaiti, Oamaru, and Palmerston. He had attended stock sales at Burnside and Balclutha, and had

been present at A. and P. Society, shows at Waikouaiti and Palmerston, and race meetings at Wingatui, Waikouaiti, Oamaru, and Forbury Park, The following complaints were received and attended to; —Starving horse in city: Investigated same and found no cause for complaint. Cruelty, to horse in Tapanui district: Being on holidays when this complaint was received, he had forwarded the complaint to the constable stationed at Tapanui* Both the constable and the veterinary surgeon’s reports had been received, and from their evidence no ; cruelty was inflicted. Last Wednesday, at Burnside, he received complaints that tha stock train from the south on tha previous day had been taken off. When interviewed the transport officer stated that the department had received advice of only five trucks, and thus tha special train could not be run for that number. This matter had since been ventilated through the Press, with, ha felt sure, good results. The pens for the calves were becoming very coin gested, and one of the cow pens could be used with very little expense. Ha suggsted that the society approach the Sale Yards Company on this matter.Another case of poisoning of dogs had been reported, this time from Cavei> sham. The report was adopted.