SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8552, 4 August 1888, Page 2

SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

A meeting of the Committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held in the City Council Chambers yesterday ; present Messrs E. Salter (in the chair), J. Anderson, Or. Mitchenson, D. Carter, and W. H. Shaw (Secretary). Apologies were received from Messrs E. W. Fereday and M. Murphy. The Secretary reported that Dr M'lnjbyre had agreed to act as honorary agent of the Society in Timaru, which practically means that a branch would be formed in that district. . The question of dishorning cattle before sending them to market was then discussed, an opinion published in the Mark Lane Express being read to the meeting. This showed that the practice, when carried out by a professional man was not considered injurious or cruel, but in the case which was reported to the Society, the horns had been cut by an unskilful man, and cruelty had apparently existed. Mr T. Hill, V.S., attended to explain the matter, showing that the practice was a common one, and prevented serious damage being done to the cattle when travelling in trucks. He considered that the operation should be performed between the age of six and twelve months, as it could then be done with a sharp knife and the horns be seared. But even when done with a saw it was not so cruel an operation as it seemed. There was another common operation, viz., spaying, which was really far more cruel, as the vital parts were laid, open. The process of dishorning was beneficial when sending cattle a long distance, and prevented a great deal of suffering to the animals if they were crowded in trucks. There were no old cattle in the district, and it frequently occurred that a cow’s horn had to be cut off to prevent its growing back into her head, and on those occasions they had to be cut. As a fact, it was more humane to cut off the horns before travelling, than to leave them on to injure each other with. Mr Anderson then moved—“ That, after hearing opinions the Committee consider that the operation of dishorning is not a cruel one, if done by an experienced person, and before the animal is twelve months old.” This was seconded by Mr Carter and carried. Mr A. W. Smith, the Inspector, reported having administered twenty-nine cautions for various offences against the Act, and had inspected seventy-two horses with a piew to their shoulders, &c., being examined, without having a case to report. He had paid in to the Committee’s account AJS Ils 6d, being amount received from fourteen new subscribers. It was decided to add Mr D. Duncan's name to the Committee. The question of getting up a concert in aid of the funds of the Society, as suggested by the Inspector, was considered, and the Committee decided to give it their support by undertaking the sale of tickets. Several prominent vocalists had offered their services, and the Secretary suggested that Mr Murphy or some gentleman interested should deliver a short address on the objects of the Society. The Secretary said that the annual meeting of the Society would be held some time in September, and the subject of the essay for children would be fixed before then. It was decided to ask Mr G. T. Booth to take his late father’s place on the Committee. The meeting then adjourned.