MISHAP TO BULL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 10 December 1936, Page 11

MISHAP TO BULL

WIRE IN HEART. , Per Press Association. GISBORNE, Dec. 9. A well-known Poverty Bay sheepfarmer, Mr H. TV. Barker, of Hexton, has just lost the valuable Polled Hereford bull Bonny Gem under unusual circumstances. The bull was a four-year-old, and was purchased at the Royal Show as a two-year-old. About 18 months ago the animal began frequent turns of illness, always being “blown” when put ou to grass. He became seriously ill about a month ago, and appeared to recover somewhat. Every care and attention was given him, but on Mondav afternoon last the bull threw himself forward and dropped back dead. Mr Barker, who is an experienced

farmer, was mystified, and instructed a veterinary surgeon to hold a postmortem examination. All the organs were found in a normal condition, but when the heart was cut open a small piece of fencing-wire three and a-lialf inches long, with the end turned round like a hook, was found deeply imbedded in a valve of the heart. The wire was probably swallowed in food years ago. Bonny Gem came of distinguished stock, being a son of the famous Royal Gem and a half-brother to another great champion, Beau Gem.