A DANGEROUS DOG.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14682, 13 May 1908, Page 5

A DANGEROUS DOG.

_ <> r—[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON., May 12. The sum of £SO damages for the bite of a dog was claimed by Harry White, a boy of ten. from Robert William Paterson, hotelkeeper, this morning. The case was heard by Dr.M'Arthur, S.M. The boy, who appeared rather delicate, stated that on April 4 he was going round on a milk-cart. When the milkman called at Mr Pn.terson's house the boy went in with the milk. In the passage he saw a dog, a bull terrier, lying on the mat. The dog knocked him against the wall, afterwards seising him by the hp and kaiig-

ing on until Mr Paterson came to the rescue. Mrs Paterson attended to the boy, and after the doctor had treated him he was sent away with a sovereign by Mr Paterson. ' Henrv White, the boy's father, declared that he had told Mr Paterson that if he would only destroy the dog there would be no further trouble, but Mr Paterson refused. Mr Cracroft Wilson submitted, on behalf of Mr Paterson, that the dog was far too valuablo to be destroyed, being worth at least £2OO. Robert William Paterson stated that it was the noise made by the can as the boy was returning that made the dog spring at him. Witness gave the boy a sovereign, telling him that it was something to buy lollies with. The dog was not ferocious at all. The witness's little boy, five years old, used to play with it like a kitten. ' The boywould take a piece of meat OTit of inn doe's mouth. Mr Herdman: A discriminating den! He took a piece of meat out of the other bov's mouth. His Worship said that if a person had a dog like the one in question No must accent his responsibilities. JuoV men* would be for the plaintiff for £2O and costs, £4 16s.