CRUELTY TO BOBBY CALVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22198, 27 August 1935, Page 13

CRUELTY TO BOBBY CALVES

Sir, —The time is overdue when the barbarities committed in the bobby calf industry receive public attention. It was the calves' piteous cries that attracted my attention. They were crowded in a motor-lorry, and three were lying down, being trampled to death. This is a common occurrence in Pukekohe. Visitor. Sir, —The cruelty connected with thebobby calf trade is becoming more acute as the season advances, the Auckland Society for the Prevent ion of Cruelty to Animals being inundated with letters of protest from dairying districts. The difficulty seems to be chiefly in the transport of these poor unfortunate little animals, and reports disclose heart-rending details of unutterable cruelty regarding the long delay at railway stations, sometimes 17 to 20 hours of exposure in the recent bitter weather, without food or water. No wonder the residents near railway stations suggest a vigorous campaign of supervision. There is no doubt that many of the calves are not more than a day old, and are far from being sufficiently nourished to stand the journey to the works. Though the society has responded willingly to all calls within reasonable distance of Auckland, and also recently engaged another inspector to deal with the innumerable requests for investigation, the situation is one of such magnitude it is impossible to deal with it without a definitely organised scheme, involving special finance. This the society is quite unable to do at present, but honorary inspectors in different farming districts have been notified and instructed to prosecute any cases of cruelty. A sympathiser has startod a humane fund to provide more inspectors and supervise generally. Contributions will be gladly accepted by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at their depot and office, 52 Victoria Street West, to-be used for this special purpose. Unfortunately, there is no legislation in New Zealand which deals definitely with cruelty to animals, and humane societies work solely on the Police Offences Act. M. Kingsley, Secretary, S.P.C.A.