CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Southland Times, Issue 16692, 22 March 1911, Page 4

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

A movement is at present on foot to reinstate the Southland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and to the movement we gladly give our hearty support. The objects of such a society are to prevent cruelty to animals by enforcing, when practicable, the existing laws; -by procuring such further legislation .as may be found expedient; by exciting and sustaining an intelligent public opinion regarding man’s duty to animals; and by all such further and other ways and means as may be deemed expedient. In connection with: the working of the Otago Society last year 105 cases of cruelty were‘reported. Proceedings were taken in three of these, and convictions obtained in two cases, resulting in the payment of fines of £l3 16s to the Government. Sixteen cases were not proceeded with on account of weakness of evidence, and 86 were considered, after investigation, not to require more tjian cautioning. Three horses were destroyed at the suggestion of the Society’s Inspector. We would not for a single moment entertain the idea that cruelty to animals is rife in Southland, but in any district where a large number of animals are daily employed or handled in various ways it is obvious that individual cases of the kind do occur. It is not the purpose of a society of this sort to unduly harass owners of animals, but rather to cause them to realise that dumb animals in their care have certain claims on their consideration which may not be overlooked. When the people concerned have realised the responsibility that has been placed on them in this respect, then the lives of many patient and helpless beasts will of a certainty be made more easy and tolerable. The benefits of a Society for the Prevention of cruelty to animals cannot be gauged by the number of cases it brings before the Courts; the mere existence of such a body assuredly has the effect of causing callous and irresponsible people to refrain from indulging in ill-treatment 'of animals under their control, or neglecting to provide adequately for their comfort. The fear of the stigma that attaches to anyone brought to book for reprehensible conduct of the kind would no doubt prove a deterrent. For these reasons it is to be hoped that the movement will meet with the success it deserves.