CRUELTY TO A DOG

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 7

CRUELTY TO A DOG

“A SHOCKING CASE” STATION MANAGER FINED. In the Magistrate’s Court at Blenheim Thomas Charters, manager of Woodbank Station, was fined £lO and £ll 2s 6d costs on a charge of having cruelly ill-used a dog. It was stated in evidence that tho defendant acted in a revoltingly inhuman© fashion. Mr T. E. MaunseTl, S.M., described the case as a shocking one. Captain Henry, inspector to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animats, who conducted the case for the prosecution, said that on the morning of the offence the defendant and three employees were fencing. Defendant sent the dog to round up some sheep, and the dog behaving badly, the offence complained of had occurred. TO TEAR DOG APART Andrew Wilson gave evidence that Charters had the dog by the tad, and was swinging it over his head, and bashing it on the ground. That continued for some time. Then lie had seen Charters with the dog*6 head in his hands, and he was digging lr.s heels into the animars body, and apparently endeavouring to tear the dog apart. Other witnesses gave similar evidence, and stated that the dog had died' that night. Constable Byrne stated that he interviewed Charters ten days after the offence. Ho had appeared surprised at the' allegations of cruelty, but admitted chastising th© dog. He had stated it as his opinion that th© dog had died oF«trychnine poisoning from picking up poison laid for dogs. “THE RESULT OF PASSION” His Honour, in convicting defendant, said that there was one thing to he said in his favour. Although it was a shocking case in one respect, the defendants action was committed in the heat of passion, and he must have lost control of his temper altogether. H* had not the slightest doubt that when Charters cooled down he was sorry for what he had done. A fine of £lO -would bo ioip^ed A with costs £ll 2s 0d m