PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11499, 4 February 1903, Page 4

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE.

The Oommitt«e of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals met at the City Council Chambers last night. Present—Mcssns D. B. McLaren (in the E. Hardcastle, C. Bean, Misses Morrow and Freeman, and Mrs Julius. The Society's inspector (Mr W. H. Zouch) reported t/hat he proposed giving notice to owners who were working o'A and , decrepit horses to cease doing so. There were a number of such horses in the city and eubuibs. Tlie inspector of police, interviewed regarding the most humane way of despatching howes fatally injured in street accidents or otherwise, had (suggested that the Society should decide, and after they had obtained the Government veterinary eurgeon's approval of tlik method, 4 lie police would be instructed to make use of it. The report recommended that the matter be further considered next meeting. Regret was expressed that the Railway Department did not intend to use muzzles for dogs, while being conveyed by rail, or compel owners to ha-ve their dogs muzzled to prevent fighting in the dog boxefl of guards' vane. The report was* adopted. Tho General Manager of Railwaye, in his reply to the .Society's suggestion regarding the muzzling of dogs, stated 'that it was extremely unlikely that owners would pay an extra charge for -the use of a muzzle. Aβ the Department could not reasonably be expected to decline to convey unmuzzled dogs that were proved to be docile, the expense of procuring muzzles could not be justified. The fact that thousands of dogs were safely conveyed over the railways of the colony annually, was ample proof tha'*. the accommodation provided was sufficient for the purpose, and that reasonable care was exercised by" the Department's employeea. In regard to bull-fights at the Addington saleyards, Mr Hardcaatfe explained that a number of bulk were bought every week nfc the yards for boiling down purposes, and they were put into one yard with other cattle going to the works, and allowed to have their fights. Otherwise it would be difficult, and probably dangerous, to drive them along the roads, as they would fight aa they were being driven. . Mr Hardcaetle. brought under the notice I of the Committee complaint* th«rt had been made ,regarding the ill-feeding of rabbit trappers' dogs in Otago and Southland, and it was decided to write to the branches of the Society in Dunedio and Invercargill, and draw their attention to the matter. Messrs McLaren and Hardcastle were appointed to interview Mr McKellar, the ' secretary of the Canterbury Saleyarda Company, in reference to the loading and unloading arrangements for pigs and calves at .the yards. The Inspector, Mr W. H. Zoucly referred to the raauner in which fotrla are j killed and plucked at the Government poultry depot. As far us he could observe, from watching several dozens killed, the .process was as follows:-—Each, bird Man hit on the head, plucked, and ekewmd, in less than two minutes, for he took the time. At the conclusion of the process lie saw no Ik's than four of the birds still and apparently alive. He fancied that the men gave their necks a twist after plucking, but he did not see them do so before. There was a belief that if the feathens were pulled out of the live fowl, the flesh was left white and plump. He did not think the hhdn could be dead when the process of plucking commenced. The Inspector and Mr Hardcastle were to visit the depot, together with a Government veterinarian surgeon, to asI certain whether cruelty exists. The Committee intend to confer with the city and suburban membens, before the session opens, with regard to a number of matters which they wish to bring before the notice of the House.