CARTAGE OF CALVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22518, 8 September 1936, Page 14

CARTAGE OF CALVES

OVERCROWDING ALLEGED CASES HEARD AT HAMILTON [from our cwn corkespondentJ HAMILTON, Monday Three charges of cruelty to bobby calves through overcrowding, were brought before Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Hamilton Police Court to-day against Ernest George Bogan, carrier, of Puketaha (Mr. Strang). Defendant pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant Lambert said that defendant had a two-decker truck and was regularly engaged in the transport of bobby calves to the freezing works. On the date of the first charge he had arrived at the works with a load of 81 calves, and on the second with 85. The calves appeared to have suffered from the overcrowding, and one had to be destroyed as Boon as it was removed from the lorry. Three Government inspectors and a veterinary surgeon gave evidence that the calves had been overcrowded, and that defendant had failed to exercise due care in preventing cruelty. Remarking that the cartage of bobby calves had become a matter of considerable public interest, Mr. Paterson convicted the defendant on all counts, imposing a fine of £2 10s in each case.

A charge of causing unnecessary cruelty to a bobby calf was also brought against Charles William Lusty, farmer (Mr. Hammond) pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Lambert stated that defendant's employee had placed soiric calves in bags and carried them to the gate of the farm on a sledge. On the way one of the calves had fallen off and broken a leg. When the carrier was collecting the calves from the farm gate defendant discussed with him what to do with the injured calf. It was decided to place the calf in the lorry and it was taken to the freezing works. On arrival it was found that two legs were broken. Mr. Hammond said that .it would have taken defendant about an hour to go back to his house and get the implements necessary to destroy the calf. As it only took about the same time to convey the animal to the freezing works he decided to send it away on the lorry. Stating that he had taken into account the fact that defendant had exercised a certain degree of discretion, and there was no carelessness or intention of cruelty on his. part, Mr. Paterson entered a conviction, imposing a penalty of 10s and costs.