ALSATIAN WORRIES SHEEP

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 June 1935, Page 5

ALSATIAN WORRIES SHEEP

OWNER TO PAY COSTS PROPER CONTROL ORDERED ELTTIAM COURT CHARGE. John Hutchison was charged at flic Eltham Magistrate’s Court- yesterday with being the owner of an Alsatian dog which was dangerous and not under proper control. Hutchinson was ordered to pay costs £3 13s 2d. Defendant was represented by Mr R. J. O’Dea, and Mr J. L. Weir prosecuted for tiic Eltham Borough Council. Hutchison denied the charge. Constable Autill said that oil Sunday, March 17, he-was informed that two Alsatian dogs were worrying sheep in Taumala Park, Eltham. On reaching the park lie saw a dead slioep and two Alsatian dogs, lie and the borough inspector went down to defendant's home and questioned him regarding his Alsatian dog. Defendant was worried about- bis dog as it was absent from home. With defendant they then went and interviewed a Mr Hastings who also owned an Alsatian. Hastings did not know where his bog liad been. Ibe party then went to the park. Hutchison looked at the sheep and said that it must have been his dog that had done the damage and on leaving Hutchison said he was going to shoot the dog. He had been present later when Inspector Lethbridge had an interview with defendant, who had told the inspector to proceed and prsooutc as he had not heart to kill the dog. Mr O’Dea. gained an admission from the constable that be could not definitely state the dog be saw in the park belonged to defendant.

Inspector Lethbridge corroborated the evidence, of Constable Antill. He stated that defendant had phoned him from Hawera. stating that Inspector Hunt was going to destroy the dog. He again saw defendant later and defendant said he could not destroy the dog. The inspector said that ho had warned Hutchison on a previous occasion when lie had caught defendant’s dog worrying his cows. Hutchison had never expressed doubt that the dog was his.

F. Reardon, cattle dealer, Eltham, bad a good deal of experience with stock and had on three occasions warned defendant. He looked upon the dog as a danger to stock. The defendant had paid witness 13s fid as a half-share of t.he dead sheep. E. E. Duke, manager of the Hawera Farmers’ Meat Co., said he had received a call at his business premises advising that two dogs were worrying his sheep grazing on the school ground. He had seen defendant, who had agreed to pay for the damage and Wilson, the owner ol' the other dog, had paid his -share. Cross-examined witness could not definitely state the dog belonged to defendant.

Harold Ha stings, borough employee, admitted .ownership of an Alsatian dog wliic-h was suspected of sheep worrying and he had had the animal destroyed. Defendant admitted owning an Alsatian dog. lie had admitted the dog was loose and had been wondering where he was. After viewing the sheep he went homo with the fixed intention of killing the (log, but his wife had persuaded him against this action. Regarding the Hawera. incident the dog was with him all day in Hawera. He admitted offering to pay Duke, provided it was proved to be his dog. He did not think his dog would kill sheep. Under cross-examination by Mr Weir he thought it possible that his deg had boon home all day.- One of the boys had told him it was his clog worrying .sheep. Mrs; Hutchison, wife of defendant, corroborated defendant’s evidence. Witness called the (log immediately after the .inspector had visited the house and the dog came from under the bouse. There was no evidence of blood on the dog. The magistrate said ho must find that the dog was dangerous, as there was direct evidence to .show it was so. It was evident that the defendant was very attached to the dog. and he was | going to give the dog one more chance. The "defendant was directed to keep the dog under control. If there wore any further complaints the dog would have to be destroyed. Defendant would be required to pay costs amounting to £3 13s.

pointed to Spieer and said, ‘Get him arrested.’ There was blood over the telephone, tire desk, the floor and patt of the wall. Two chairs were overturned and one was broken.” Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that when questioned Spicer said: t‘My name is Jack Spicer. 1 cleaned them both up and I made a proper job of him,” pointing to Buchanan. Spicer denied having used anything more than his fists, however. Bail was fixed at £3OO.