GIRL BITTEN BY DOG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22596, 8 December 1936, Page 11

GIRL BITTEN BY DOG

FOX TERRIER'S LAPSE COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE [by telegraph OWN correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, Monday Remarking that the owner of a fox terrier which attacked and bit a child, Joan Lorraine Mitchell, showed lack of control of the animal, Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., fined the owner £1 and costs in the Magistrate's Court to-day. . The child, in evidence, stated that she was playing in a drive when the dog chased her and bit her. She had done nothing to tease the dog. •George Skinner said that he saw the child playing in his drive, but took no notice until he heard her scream and run toward the house. She tripped and the dog then seized her leg, shaking her before running off. He considered the dog was more mischievous than vicious.

Mr. F. Opie, who appeared for defendant, stated that while it was apparent the dog actually did bite the child no complaint had been made at the time. Defendant, her husband and a neighbour, gave evidence to show that the dog was used to playing with children, and though it was often teased and had stones thrown at it it had never previously shown any signs of viciousness. The magistrate commented that apparently a more vicious strain of fox terrier was being bred than when he was a bov.