Dogs Defend Master When He is Drunk

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 74, 29 March 1938, Page 2

Dogs Defend Master When He is Drunk

CHARGES OF KEEPING SAVAGE ANIMALS From Our Own Correa Dondent. NAPIER, Last Night. 1 ‘When he is drunk, no one can get near him on account of his dogs. They are faithful, and a pair any man would be proud to own,” said Sergeant G. Boniseli in the Magistrate’s Court at Napier when James William Spicer, of Vigor Brown street, Napier, appeared on two charges of keeping dangerous fox terrier dogs, and one of breaking the terms of his prohibition order. The sergeant went on to say that the defendant, through a weakness in las leg, very easily got into a condition in which he needed help. Then the dogs guarded him so well that nothing could be done. “If he would leave the dogs at home when he goes out on the drink it would be all right,” Sergeant Bom isch concluded. Mr. J. Millar S.M. said it would not bo fair to punish the dogs. Tho only way would be to impose such a penalty on their owner that ho would have to get rid of them. Defendant said lie had not had a drink for 10 months until a friend had given him a drink of whisky on Maroh 19, tho date of the alleged breach of the order. Owing to an injury to his leg as the result of military service, he was unable to take much liquor and stay on his feet, although his head would be clear. He had made arrangements to send the dogs away to the country. Commenting that it would bo an outrage to destroy the dogs who only tried to defend their master, the Magistrate adjourned the case for a fortnight to allow defendant to got them sent away.