CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 14

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Sir, —I, in common with many other animal lovers, have been more than sorry when wo read of tho absurdly light sentences inflicted by magistrates on llioso degenerates who grossly ill-treat animals, whether largo or small. lam quite aware it is not the fault of the magistrates, whose feelings are, probably, tho same as mine, but their decision, and tho punishment meted out, is bound down by our defective law on the offence. For such as commit deliberate cruelty on our animal friends, no fine is a sufficient punishment. I maintain that the only punishment fit for such ruflians and enemies of society is a term of imprisonment, " without tho option," and, in extreme cases, tho lash, so they may experience a little of what they have inflicted 011 their helpless, dumb slaves. As a motorist who is drunk in his car is deprived of his licenco to drive for a set period, according to tho gravity of his ok'cnce, so should tlieso " pity-lackers," as they are called in America, bo deprived of tho right to control any animal, large or small, for a period suitable in tho magistrate's opinion to the gravity of tho offence, this in addition to his other punishment. Anyone who has ever lir.'n " out in tho wilds " knows what his horse and dog are to him—more than two frl-low-beings, often—and, at homo, his c-f.t. I speak from experience. Their faithfulness and patience is not often found in mankind, and their courage in defence of their master, sometimes against deadly odds, is a thing that should make many of us who fought through the Great War keep very silent about our exploits. 'lhis blot of animal cruelty is ono of the worst on this fair country of ours. J. Spencer-Daniell.