A MUCH-PRIZED DOG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14587, 25 January 1911, Page 8

A MUCH-PRIZED DOG.

MASSAGED BACK JO HEALTH,

A SHILLING DAMAGES FOR

DETENTION..

The adventures of a.: much-valued bundle bull, pup occupied the attention of Mr. Kettle, S.M., for a considerable time yesterday, at the Magistrate's Court. Mr. David M. Davis sought to recover damages for loss of companionship through Madame. Doree, masseuse, of Femleigh, Symonds-fitreet, having detained his dog, valued at £45.

Mr. Denniston appeared for plaintiff, who said his dog was in the habit of taking trips on the ferry boat on his own. account. Some- time ago it disappeared, and in Auckland later witness saw his dog following a gentleman, who on being accosted, said the animal belonged to hits mother, and had been given to her by a Mr. Berry, who bought it from a Maori. Witness obtained the address of the lady, and then, to prove the ownership, called the dog "Bones"—his name. The dog "went mad" on hearing him, continued the witness, and he then went to Madame Doroe's address. Madame Doree told him the dog was given her, and was in a weak condition when she got it. She asked to "lie allowed to keep it, but ho would not hear of that, and said he would try to get another dog, at the same time agreeing to bring the dog .up a few days later on for her to see once more.

"To take a formal farewell, I suppose,"' put in the magistrate, amidst laughter. Witness said ho took the dog away, but shortly after it strayed away again. He advertised for it, and Madame Doree telephoned to him to come and see her. He went up, and she said site had the dog, giving him a most uncomfortable quarter of an hour because he had not brought the dog up as promised. She had renamed the dog "Togo" during the time the dog was with her. The dog had since been given up, but he considered himself entitled to damages for the trouble he had been put to and the loss of the bull pup's companionship. The defendant, giving evidence, said : "I loved Togo, and when he was given to me he was very ill. I massaged him three times a day back to health, and Davis gave him to me on account of my love for him, but said he wanted to take him.out sometimes. The dog came back of his own accord on the second occasion."

The defendant then called witnesses to prove that plaintiff had given her the dog. The Magistrate considered that Madame Doree had been very kind to the animal, and had nnrsed it back to health. He thought plaintiff should have been satisfied to get euch a valuable dog hack after it had been allowed to run about so much on its own. He had no hesitation in believing defendant's story about the dog having been given her. Treating it as a technical offence, he would award plaintiff Is damages, without costs. The Defendant : "If Togo still persists in coming to the house, must I beat it every time to make it go away?' The magistrate replied that if she so loved Togo she would hardly have the heart to do that. (Laughter.)"