ALLEGED CRUELTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 195, 19 July 1941, Page 7

ALLEGED CRUELTY

REPORT OF DOG FIGHTING

ACTION TAKEN BY S.P.C.A

Tuly ”17. An allegation contained in a letter from the Wellington Society that bull terriers had been bred in Dunedin for lighting for money was discussed at Ihe monthly meeting of tho Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The contests were alleged to have been held on the West Coast, where, it was stated, cruel fights were staged for the benefit of miners. The Wellington society’s inquiries arose from a complaint made by an Englishwoman who formerly bred bull terriers. PURPOSE OF PHOTOGRAPHS. Enclosed with the letter were three ! photographs—one apparently of a fight | m progress, one ol a dog v just alter I winning a fight in which its opponent I was said to have been killed, and another of a dog valued for its fighting prowess. Written on the back of one of the snapshots was a description of what was termed “the best ‘gameness’ trial I have ever seen.” On another was tho name ol the dog which hud beaten another “in a great battle last- | ing 42 minutes.” The loser, tho description went on, was a game dog and died “with bis head facing in tho right direction.” These photographs wore signed by the breeder against whom the allegations were directed. Commenting on the ease, members of the committee were agreed that it was most serious and expressed their disgust at such a practice. The society’s inspector (Mr J. J. Hincholiff) reported that he had interviewed the man implicated in the allegations and he had offered the explanation that lie had taken the snapshots as a “bluff” to prove to a man in Wellington that his bull terriers wore good dogs. He had admitted taking the photographs and that the writing on the backs of flieni was his, but he had stated that in the photograph of tho dogs apparently fighting they were actually only playing. When questioned about, going to the West Coast, the man had said that he had not been there for years. SHARP WARNING ISSUED.

Mr Hinchcliff said the society was not in a position to prosecute as the Police Offences Act stated that a charge must, be pressed within three months of the time the alleged offence occurred.

It was finally decided to write a strong note to the man who had been interviewed, condemning the activities with which lie was thought to be connected, and stressing the fact that, if the society was supplied with further evidence that he was using or selling his dogs for prize-fighting, it would prosecute without hesitation. The secretary was instructed to make it clear in the letter that the society did not consider the breeder’s explanation satisfactory.