RUSHED AT BY DOG

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 223, 22 September 1942, Page 2

RUSHED AT BY DOG

WOMAN KNOCKED OFF CYCLE

“This case, though defended with some vigour, is not a serious case o. its kind,” commented Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Magistrates Court, Wanganui, yesterday, when convicting William Robertson Turner on a charge of being the owner of a dog which attacked a cyclist, Gwendoline Arnold, at Aramono, on September 2. Defendant, who was represented by Mr. H. M. Keesing, pleaded not guilty. He was convicted and ordered to pay costs, 16s. It was clear, after hearing evidence, that the dog had knocked the woman off her cycle, and this was an offence, said the magistrate. Other evidence, however, had showed that though the dog was prone to rushing out it was not vicious, but merely full of animal spirits. “I must enter a conviction, but the owner has apparently done the right thing in sending the dog out into the country. So long as the dog is kept there I see no reason why I should impose a penalty,” the magistrate said. Senior-Sergeant F. Culloty prosecuted. William Houston, soldier, 26 Brunswick Road, said he was standing under the verandah of the store at the corner of Somme Parade and Brunswick Road when he saw Mrs. Arnold cycling in the direction of the Aromoho Bridge. An Alsatian dog was following. When she reached the corner defendant’s black dog. which was also near the shop, rushed out tyid knocked the woman off the cycle. Witness added that he was sure the black dog rushed at the cycle, not the Alsatian.

In answer to the magistrate, witness said that after this incident, Mrs. Turner, who was in the store, told the black dog to "O home. When interviewed, defendant stated that to avoid any repetition of the trouble he had sent the dog to a farm near Marton, said Constable J. Willetts, Aramoho. The constable added that he had received previous complaints about this dog. It had the habit of chasing motorists and cyclists, but he had never had any complaints of it being a vicious animal. Its worst habit was racing along the footpath at high speed. James William Gould, Brunswick Road, said he had always found defendant’s dog very quiet and friendly. It was particularly friendly with children. Mr. Keesing raised the defence of contributor^negligence bv the cyclist having a dog following her. which incensed the black dog to rush out.