A “THIN-SKINNED” HORSE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 52, 25 October 1912, Page 5

A “THIN-SKINNED” HORSE.

CASE OF CRUELTY. . "T Another case of cruelty to animals was heard at tin* Magistrate’s Court to-day, when Dean Orford Shute was charged, before Air. W. G. K. Kenrick, S.Ai., with driving a horse, having sores on its body, ot such a nature as co cause it bodiy pain. Defendant pleaded ‘‘not guilty.” Constable McGowan gave evidence as to finding the horse attached to a gig outside the Commercial Hotel, i acre was oiie sore on each side of the shoulder, and one, a very bad sore, under the saddle, which was resting on it. 'The animal was in a very poor condition, and was slightly lame in the oh lore leg. He found the owner, and took him with the horse and gig down to the station to interview Sergeant McNeely. Defendant: Although I pleaded not guilty, i must admit that the horse mid certain sores on it. 1 think that the police in bringing this ease forward showed a lack of judgment. This horse is a very thin-skinned animal, and has constantly iiad sores all over it. They so often suddenly break out. Sergeant McNeely stated that on the date m question Constable McGowan brought defendant’s horse and gig to tno Police Station. Ho found altogether six sory.s on the body; three of tiieni could he described as very bad sores. One, under the saddle, was apparently an old soro. • It had healed in one part, but had worn into a very deep hole. - The saddle was touching that sore. Un each side of the neck, under the collar, was a sore. One sore was one-and-a-half inches in length, and the one eu the other side was not quite so long. it was not very deep there. Tno collar was couching those sores. On the off shoulder was a place about the size df a smiling-—red and raw. Ho would judge that the sore had been made shat day. Under the girth, on each side, was a very had sore. On the body and on the loro-log were sores. One soro under the girtn ho should judge would bo the size of a two-shil-ling piec6, or bigger. The place was red,. and looked very painful. Ho would not describe the horse as being ui good condition. As it was driven away, ho noticed it was lame. He instructed the defendant not to work it any more, and defendant took it out of the harness immediately and Jed it homo. Defendant: Was there anything uuler the saddle? Sergeant McNeely: Yes, you had put a- piece of sacking—a piece, of sugar oag, I should think, under the saddle. Defendant: Exactly. I was trying to keep the sacking: from the sore. , Sergeant McNeely; In my opinion, you had not succeeded. Defendant questioned Sergeant McNeely as to a certain ointment. Did the Sergeant know that the instructions were “work the horse?” Sergeant McNeely 1 replied that he lid nob know the ointment. The Magistrate remarked that the ■hutment had not cured the horse, and suggested that, failing the cure, a bullet might have been employed. . Defendant: Circumstances alter cases. If a man can afford it, that, would lie the right thing to do. . ' In answer to further questions, defendant stated that lie had had to go to town in a hurry. Ho had taken •Jio horse out of the paddock, and other hands had harnessed it. Ho had not noticed that the horse was in this condition. It was always breaking out in sores. He had tried every means to put the horse in a good condition, but without success. “I have,'” Jip jc.qnqlvdffd,tf‘frlwa(ri* Ijike* « pride in my horses. I have been a breeder, and an exhibitor at the shows.” The Magistrate, in fining the accusod 10s and 7s costs, said there had been cruelty. It would have been bet. ter had the animal been destroyed. He thought, however, that a small fine would adequately meet the case. i