FOLDING COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10476, 11 October 1912, Page 5

FOLDING COURT.

THURSDAY.

Before Mr A. D. Thomson, S. M. SHEEP WORRYING. Continued from page (>. Chas. Burton stated he had two dogs on his property belonging to Murrow. On July 11th one of _the dogs was at Marton and the other chained up on the property. On the following day they were • both on the chain, except for 15 minutes, when they were given a run. On Saturday they were let off the chain at 1.15 for their usual run. They were off for 20 minutes when they came home, Hogg following them. Hogg said the dogs had been worrying sheep, and should be shot. He judged the time they were away by the gorse he had cut. The Magistrate remarked that Hogg had stated it was 2.00 when he saw the dogs on the place. Witness, continuing, said McLennan had told him of the worrying and showed him a worried sheep. Witness did not think his dogs had done the worrying, because he bad seen them amongst sheep anti they had not done any damage. By Mr Elliott; He kept the dogs on the chain because they might annoy neighbours—they might worry fowls.

To the Magistrate: Witness heard his brother tell Hogg the girl must have let the dogs off the chain. A. Burton stated on July 11th he had taken the collie to Marton and on his return tied .it up. He kept the dogs tied up so that they could not bite anybody. He was about the house all , day on Friday and the dogs were under his notice all the time. . On Saturday they were only off to round up the cows and for a run. He had seen two dogs in his piggery. To Mr Elliott: They were frightened of the dogs attacking human beings, but not sheep. The dogs were tied tip regularly after rounding up the cows. Had seen no signs of worrying on sheep shown him. Did not recollect having said the girl must have let the dogs off the chain.

The Magistrate thought there was not the slightest doubt the two dogs had been worrying sheep. They had been seen on their way to Hogg’s. The sheep, had been much disturbed, and some were bieedmg. There was some question as to Thursday. There was a possibility of doubt, and lie must give the benefit to MacLennan’s. The flock was near lambing, and would be much influenced by one dog barking and the other biting. It was not the first time McLennan’s sheep had been worried. 'Cuff’s dog had done some worrying, and had been shot. He would allow plaintiff £6 damages for sheep killed, £lO general damages, and costs totalling £5 19s Gd.