A BOY AND A DOG.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12429, 19 February 1901, Page 3

A BOY AND A DOG.

PROCEEDINGS IN COURT. John Watt, for whom Mr Russell appeared, ' was charged at the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr C. Hood-Wil-liams, J.P., and Mr R. Westenra, J.P., with having, on Jan. 30, at Durham Street, Sydenham, kept a dog which attacked a. boy named Percy Wiloher, to the danger of his limbs., Percy Wilcher stated he was going along Durham Street, when the dog rushed at him and bit his leg. He had not annoyed the dog in any way, hut had some times previously “played with it.” Mr Russell asked the complainant whether he did not like the dog, and often play with it; hut the witness’ affection had evidently received a severe shock. The boy’s mother. and Andrew Ferguson also gave evidence, showing that the attack had been unprovoked. Mr Russell held that the biting had not been a criminal offence, since the animal was habitually quiet. The plaintiff might sue civilly, but not charge the defendant with an offence. The defendant and two other •witnesses gave evidence to the effect that the children of the neighbourhood were in the habit of riding the dog, pulling its tail, and inflicting other indignities upon it. The Bench inflicted a fine of ssi