DOG OFF LEAD IN PARK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19802, 18 May 1934, Page 6

DOG OFF LEAD IN PARK

RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNER. Whether or not a man can be held responsible for the action of his dog in straying unattended in a reserve was a point which was raised in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when Walter Weston was charged with suffering his dog to enter Timaru Park on May 5 when not on* a lead. Weston pleaded guilty in the circumstances. Inspector C. H. Newcome said that defendant was crossing the Park from the cemetery towards the Hospital with his dog when stopped by the curator (Mr A. W. Anderson). He had made some explanation w’hich was not accepted as he had been caught in similar circumstances on two previous occasions. Weston said that he had been to the cemetery, the dog having been left at his home, which was near the Nurses’ Home. He did not bring the dog into the had come to meet him. IHe found it about halfway across the Park and was taking it home. He was about 200 yards from the gate when caught by the curator. On a previous occasion he had taken his children to play on the swings in the Park and the d j had come over to him. He again took it home, and while doing so had been caught by the curator. The dog knew that he often went to the Park, and was in the habit of going there to look for him. The Magistrate (Mr C. R. Orr Walker. S.M.): Then he (Weston) is really not guilty. He did not suffer the dog to accompany him. It came to meet him. Weston was convicted end discharged. “You will have to make the dog a party to the offence and prosecute him too, next time,” remarked the Magistrate to Inspector Newcome.