HUMANE DUTY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20058, 15 March 1935, Page 10

HUMANE DUTY

APPEAL TO MOTORISTS Writing to Thursday’s meeting of the committee of the Automobile Association (South Canterbury) the secretary of the Timaru Branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Mr J. H. Sinclair-Thomson), advised that he had been instructed to draw the Association’s attention to the fact that several cases had been brought to his notice of motorists who had run over animals, neglecting' to stop and investigate their condition. It would be realised that this must often mean that animals were left maimed and in considerable pain on the roadside, and he would be grateful if the executive would co-operate with the Society in pointing out to motorists that the least they could do was to stop and give attention to any animal they might happen to injure. Mr W. Kidd: Does that include rabbits and hares? The chairman (Mr J. M.' Jenkins) said that the Society had mentioned that there were several cases, but he did not know of these. Publicity had been given to a recent case of a dog being run down in Stafford Street. Mr Palliser: I remember two cats lying on the road near me. The chairman said that there might be an odd case. It might be inferred that motorists had, acted in rather a cruel manner but, speaking generally for the Association, he did not think that members could be charged with the offence to any great extent. He suggested that a reply should be sent to the Society that there were very few members of the association who had acted in the manner indicated. Mr Palliser: There is no case that I can remember. The chairman: We can say that. We do not want the Society to think it necessary to give us a blast for our misdoings.

Mr Kidd: “We cannot be responsible for all motorists.” He did not think that many car drivers would run over dogs and not stop to give them attention.

Mr Palliser: There are many who

It was agreed to send a reply in accordance with the chairman’s suggestion. Mr Palliser remarked that the Society was doing very good work in South Canterbury.