THE ESCAPED LEOPARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19141, 6 October 1925, Page 7

THE ESCAPED LEOPARD.

Sir,—lt is more than a fortnight since the leopard made its escape and in spite of all the warning given by those who know the menace we are exposed to, the City Council, or whoever may be responsible for the Zoo and its inmates still remains apathetic. Is it not iira® the representatives of «sr fair land took this up and compelled a prolonged and properly organised search at n> matter what cost. Do ".hey hole! humar life and the welfare of New Zealand sc cheaply that they are going to allow this thing to pass as of no mcmer.t. Is it too ridiculous to suggest that an jteroplane be employed by night with strong searchlights to try and locate the vicinity of her hiding places, or even by day, lying low it might be of valuable aid. This, with organised armed men, who can use a gpa pftjperiy, should be employed. I. think it is high time that something of a p-oper look-out was demanded. If "this thiig is going to remair. at large there is no doubt in my mind it is going to cost some of the powers that be a very large sum, if not in actual loss of human life then in loss of stock to the fasmar. I repeat we have the ri|;ht to demand- protection in this matter. Ho.jsehoidsb Faemeb. Sir .—There are some aspects in the case of the escaped leopard which perhaps have not occurred to ratepayers. It a dog injures sheep the owner of that dog is liable for damage done. If the leopard—having first- founded a colony of leopards in the ranges—carries off a sheep dog (value £:> or £10) to feed its cubs of » pedigree cow (value 100 guineas), the City Council will be responsible and the ratepayers will have to find the money. But if the • leopard snatches a baby sleeping outside in its pram, well . • • There comes a mist and a driving rain. And life is sever tl>« same asara. I would suggest tbs.i at least a pair of bloodhounds be procured with all possible speed, so that when the leopard again comes to light the bloodhounds having been transported to the #»at by the quickest means ixissible she may be trailed and destroyed. I would also suggest that it should be made compulsory for every zoo in New Zealand ic keep at least two or three well-trained bloodbounds always on lie premises, that any escaped animals may at. once be traced.. A Rathtaxeb.