PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 75

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

MEETING OF- OTAGO SOCIETY. The monthly meeting of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, held on Tuesday afternoon, was attended by the Rev. W. Saunders (chairman), Sir George Fenwick, Messrs A. D. Sutherland, J. Shepherd, A. Stewart, J. Brown, Mrs Porteous, and J. Craig (inspector) . In regard to a statement by the society that it approved of the dehorning of cattle up to two years of age, Mr H. Jutsum, Christchurch, wrote stating that according to a book published by the Royal Society in England and circulated by the Otago Society the evidence of leading men in England was that the age of two years was a bad age for the operation because there was more flesh and consequently more vascular tissue and consequently more cruelty. He suggested that the various societies refer the subject to the society in England with the request that all such technical matters be referred to the _ various veterinary colleges for expert opinion. If the Otago Society would state its grounds for advising that the operation should be made at this age, with the names of veterinary surgeons so advising it it could be referred to England with other technical questions. —The matter was referred to Messrs Snowball. Sutherland, and the inspector for a report. A letter was received from the Wellington Society asking the opinion of the Otago Society on the question of the killing of “bobby” calves. The Wellington Society was against the practice and considered that the same laws should be applied to calves killed for export as to animals killed for home consumption.—Sir George Fenwick stated that it was no more cruel to kill calves at three days old than at five weeks old.—lt was decided to write to the Wellington Society asking it to make its point more clear. Arrangements were made for the holding of “ Animal Welfare Week,” which is being organised by Mr J. D. Forbes, of Oamaru, and which is to be observed from October 25 to October 31. —Sir George Fenwick stated that he was heartily in accord with the work, and, in accordance with Mr Forbes’s request, he was quite willing to prepare an address and broadcast it.—lt was decided to write to the secretary of the Council of Christian Congregations asking for the co-operation of that body.