ALSATIAN DOGS

Southland Times, Issue 22296, 11 April 1934, Page 9

ALSATIAN DOGS

SHEEP WORRYING ALLEGED. COMPLAINTS IN GORE DISTRICT. The alleged depredations of Alsatian dogs in worrying sheep have been freely mentioned in the Gore district since the local branch of the Farmers Union recently discussed the possibilities of prohibiting the breeding of such dogs. In several quarters it has been suggested that sheep have been worried in the district by dogs of this breed and on Monday night the subject reached the Gore Borough Council table. ~ ~ , , , Councillor M. Fitzgerald said he had been informed that a case of sheep worrying had occurred at the Gore saleyards during the Easter holidays, and although it could not be proved that they were responsible, two Alsatian dogs had been seen in the vicinity. He co'ld not vouch for the accuracy of the statement, but his information came from a man occupying a very prominent position in the town. He wished to ask whether the council had power to take any action in a case of this sort. The council derived a certain amount of revenue from the saleyards and might have some liability for the protection of stock within tne yards. At least the council could draw the attention of the owners of the dogs that they must be kept under proper control. , Councillor G. C. Hamilton, who confessed to owning a dog of the Alsatian breed, asked whether Councillor Fitzgerald was suggesting that all Alsatian does should be muzzled. Councillor Fitzgerald said he did not wish Councillor Hamilton to take it as a personal matter. In response to further prompting, he said he had once had an unpleasant experience with an Alsatian dog and was not at all shook on them. ~ The Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman) said that the poundkeeper had authority arid instructions to destroy unregistered dogs found wandering in the streets. Would Councillor Fitzgerald like a report from the poundkeeper m regard to the alleged worrying? Councillor Fitzgerald: I have already asked him for a report, but he says he knows nothing about it. Councillors were not inclined to take the matter seriously and said that if the worrying had occurred the poundkeener would surely know about it. Councillor Fitzgerald declared, however, that the worrying had occurred and that his informant, who was a stock agent, had said that. the sheep had undoubtedly been worried. Councillor Hamilton said he was afraid that Councillor Fitzgerald had been “baited.” A councillor: And now he has bit. Councillor Hamilton continued that all sorts of means of taking a rise out of him had been tried since he had become a councillor, but he had never taken any notice. A councillor could not listen to all the tittle tattle of imaginary events that people liked to Recently, proceeded Councillor Hamilton. he had motored to Dunedin and shortly after his arrival in the city he had been telephoned and informed that his dog was loose. He immediately ordered investigations to be made and the dog was found to be in the yard and had not been loose at all. If the sheep worrying had occurred during the Easter holidays his dog was exonerated as it had been at the Haast Pass during that time. This case appeared to be typical of the unlikely rumours which were spread around. Councillor Fitzgerald: I did not think I was as soft as all that. Councillor A. H. W. Aitken concurred with Councillor Hamilton that councillors could not take notice of all the imaginary events which people liked to suggest to them. Since he had joined the council he had always told people who made complaints to put them in writing before the council so that they could be dealt with and discussed in the proper way. Councillor Fitzgerald had said that he could not vouch for the facts and until the council was assured that worrying had occurred it could take no action. Councillor Fitzgerald, on the Mayor s suggestion, moved that the poundkeeper be asked to furnish a report. This was carried and the discussion was dropped.