ILLTREATING A HORSE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12620, 1 October 1901, Page 6

ILLTREATING A HORSE.

A PINE INFLICTED. George Richard Didford, a contractor, was driving a horse and dray through town yesterday morning, the dray containing a load of clay, which was to be delivesred' at Papanui, Unfortunately for him, Constable Scully was in Hereford Street, and the constable was struck by the : dejected appearance of the horse, which had sores on its legs and shoulder?, and appeared much ' overworked'. The result) was the appearance"' of Didford in Court yesterday afternoon, to answer a charge of ’ having “ cruelly illtreated a horse by working it while suffering from sores on legs'and shoulders.” . Constable Scully gave- evidence. He stated that accused was a nightsoil ' contractor, and the horse’s appearance gave the impression that it was worked at bight as well as during the day. The horse and dray -were drawn up outside the Court, ahd the Magistrate, who had viewed the animal, said that it was a “ disgrace to anyone that the horse, should he worked while in that condition.” • Accused was guilty of deliberate cruelty, and deserved to he severely punished. He would be fined" 40s and 1 costs. Mr Bishop,;trained him that if he. were found driving the horse in that condition again he would be sent to prison,' without the option of a fine. Didfordi then enquired what he was to do with the horse. He; stated that.he was more than half-way to his destination, and thought that he might as Well complete' the journey. ■ The Magistrate',: htotew£T,' told him that he must drive it no further. He must take ‘it straight out and make ' other arrangements for .the disposal of . the load.