SHOOTING OF DOG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23700, 5 July 1940, Page 5

SHOOTING OF DOG

REGISTRAR CHARGED [from our owx correspondent] HAMILTON, Thursday Tlie question whether it is permissible for a dog registrar who is bitten by a dog on tlio owner's premises to shoot the animal came before Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M.. in the Hamilton Police Court to-day. The case was one in which John Edward Chitty, dog registrar for the Waikato County, was charged with committing mischief by wilfully killing a dog belonging to Edward Seller Day. William Edward Maliood, who was at Day's house at the time, said he heard - the dog barking and then howling. He discovered defendant standing with the dog's chain in one hand and an iron bar in the other. The dog had two of its teeth knocked out. Defendant went out to his car and a little later witness heard a shot and on going outside, discovered the dog dead. Defendant, iu evidence, said that as he went in the gate to Day's residence, the dog had bitten him oh tlie ankle.-. It had ;then jumped up and bitten his . hand and arm and lie had great difficulty in getting away from it. He was r forced to hit it in order to protect him-;; self. He considered he was quite justified in shooting the animal. ; ... The magistrate reserved lus decision. ;.