CHARGE OF CRUELTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23011, 12 April 1938, Page 14

CHARGE OF CRUELTY

YOUNG DRIVER AND HORSE MAGISTRATE DISMISSES CASE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Monday A 17-year-old drover, Patrick Anthony Thomas, appeared in the Whangarei Police Court this morning, before Mr. G. N. Morris, S.M., on a charge of cruelty to a horse, by riding it with si sore back. .Senior-Sergeant E. Finch conducted the prosecution and Mr. H. K. Trimmer appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that the police stopped Thomas while he was riding the horse, and on examination found that the animal was suffering from a sore bnck. A Government veterinary surgeon, Mr. T. H. Hankin, gave evidence that he had examined the horse, and although the sore then was not serious, continued riding would have brought on a severe condition. The owner of the horse, Mr. W. Wakelin, of Whangarei, said ho had examined the horse before Thomas took it on the morning of the alleged offence, and nt that time there was no open sore. Thomas, was a novice rider and diil not know how to ride u horse. He would not have let Thomas ride the horse if its back had been sore. In dismissing the charge, the magistrate said that evidently Thomas was a bad rider, and apparently the saddle was not good. Something would have to be done about this position to prevent a repetition of these charges. The boy had been previously convicted on two similar charges, and he had heavy fines to pay.