DOGS SUFFERING FROM DISTEMPER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18623, 27 November 1928, Page 6

DOGS SUFFERING FROM DISTEMPER.

(Special to the “ Star.”) WANGANUI, November 27. A sequel to the discovery of a dog farm in the lupins at Castleclifl wa p heard in the Court yesterday, when George Atkinson was charged with permitting unnecessary cruelty and failing to provide adequate food and water. Evidence of a Government veterinarian showed that seven dogs were in a bad way with various stages of distemper, and in two their teeth had dropped out. He had ordered these dogs to be destro\-ed. The shelter was inadequate, and a bitch with pups had no range to exercise owing to the chain being tangled in the lupins. Two dogs were confined in crates, with no room to extend themselves. They were savage, and had been trying to eat their way out through the batons. The S.P.C.A. inspector (Mr Johnston) said that he destroyed eight dogs after telling Atkinson what he intended to do. The latter replied that he would fix witness, and was very abusive. Portions of the carcases of two dead dogs had shown signs as if they had been eaten by other dogs.

The defence was a denial of the allegations of cruelty, that the dogs were fed and watered daily, and that the defendant had been treating them for the disease.

The Magistrate said that he had no doubt that the dogs were suffering from distemper, but defendant did not realise it. Defendant was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence in a week’s time.