CALLOUS CONDUCT

NZ Truth, Issue 1035, 26 September 1925, Page 22

CALLOUS CONDUCT

HORSES STARVED TO DEATH. (From "Truth's" Gisborne Rep.) Once m a while is heard a case of cruelty to animals so brutal that the penalties provided by the law seem altogether inadequate. Such a case arose at Gisborne last week, when a native named Hira Paenga was charged with cruel ty of a most callous nature. The maximum fine of £20, m default two months' imprisonment, was imposed by a disgusted magistrate. •The allegation against the defendant was that he had left the horses without sufficient food, and the facts showed that his neglect had been of a most callous natiire, making the penalty imposed seem all too small. "• Three of the horses died of starvation, while another, weak and exhausted, became bogged and had to be shot. Although the defendant passed the paddock twice a week, the horses had been left there for weeks. In inflicting the maximum penalty, the Magistrate remarked that if. he had to deal with a second case of a similar nature he would send the offender to gaol without the option of a fine. Defendant would be convicted and fined £20, m default two months' imprisonment.