PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 44, 15 November 1907, Page 6

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SOCIETY. Tho Fourteenth Annual Report of tho Wellington Socicty for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shows that tho year ending September 30, 1907, has been one of steady, quiet work. Although tho number of cases in which Court proceedings were taken are few, it will bo seen by the following summary that a largo number of cases have been investigated, warnings have been administered, and suffering lias been alleviated. CASES INVESTIGATED. Working horses suffering from sprains, bruises, and sore fetlocks 30 Horses injured by nails 12 Horses ordered oif the road for veterinary surgeon treatment 120 Horses suffering through being impropcrly shod ... 50 Horses condemned by veterinary surgeon and destroyed ... 40 Overloading horses ... ' ' 9 Dogs placed under veterinary surgeon's care 10 Dogs condemned by veterinary surgeon and destroyed 9 Cruelty to other animals and birds ... 3 Total 283 In addition, numerous warnings were given to owners of horses, cattle, poultry, etc. Ihe number of cases taken into Court Wer ? n lne ' resulted in eight convictions, j as follow: Working horses while suffering! from open wounds, 3; overloading, 1; Work-1 nig horses while lame, 1; overloading aged horse with sore back, 1; riding horses with sore backs, 2. The fines imposed ranged , from £1 to £6 with costs. The need for this Society is constantly being demonstrated, and its restrictive influenw is an undoubted power for good, "hue much has been accomplished with the limited means at its disposal, tho Society very fully realises that a great deal still remains to bo done, and hopes to see in the near future more widespread interest taken m its work, and the strengthening of its committee by the accession thereto of others interested and willing to assist.. NEEDLESS SUFFERING. • if 1 ? " nlolm t of suffering that is needlessly inflicted on dumb animals, more often through want of thought than wilful neglect, is amazing. A very great deal might be douo both echicatively and by preventive measures if the Society had' sufficient funds wherewith to defray the necessary expenditure. It must bo remembered that the society has no endowments, vested interests, or sources of revenue of any kind other than that of voluntary contributions. A large proportion of its work is such as would, or should, otherwise be undertaken by tho police and it has long been felt that this and kindred societies in the Dominion have strong claims on the Government for a liberal- subsidy, and it is hoped that a sum for the purpose will bo voted by the House this session. CARELESS FARRIERY. Evidence is continually before- the Society or the suffering and injury occasioned to horses, and severe loss to owners, through careless and incompetent shoeing. 'During the past year the Society has been in communication with kindred Societies with a view to having legislation enacted making it compulsory for the examination and registration of farriers. Tlie Society had decided to approach the Government on the. subject early this session, but had been informed that Mr. C. E. Major, M.H.R., had again introduced a Bill dealing with the question. The Society resolved to take no further action at the time, so as not to interfere with Mr. Major's Bill or complicate matters in any way. Tho Bill did not get through, and, therefore, the.need for action m the direction indicated still oxists, and steps will have to be taken with the object of remedying the present state of affairs. -

VETERINARY SURGEONS. Tho Society is also of opinion that all persons practising within tho Dominion as veterinary surgeons should be required to pass an examination as to their qualifications, and to be licensed or registered to practise. It is intended to unite with kindred societies in asking the Governmont to deal with this matter also. Many cases of needless suffering through improper treatment have come undor the Society's notice, and the need for legislation in the direction indicated is unquestionable. OVERLOADING. Cases of cruelty through over-loading are frequently before the Society; and much suffering is being occasioned thereby. Such cases would be of much less frequency wero the maximum licensed loads reduced. At present these are • certainly excessive, and some months ago the Society mado special representations to the City Council on tho subject. It is hoped that tho matter will receivo the attention of tho Council, and that the by-laws dealing with the matter of licensed loads amended. The Society's inspector and tho'- police are often' hampered in dealing with undoubted cases of cruelty from overloading owing to the existing provisions of the City Council's by-laws. The Socioty gladly records tho prompt .manner in which the. City Council gave effect to the Society's recommendation as to the Erection of additional water troughs for horses in the city.

HUMANE CATTLE-KILLERS. During the last year the Society imported two of Greener's humane cattle killers, and these are now- available for use at any time, being kept at the Lambton Quay and Mount Cook Police Stations; these have proved most eflioiont and satisfactory when used in those cases where horses liad to bo destroyed in the streets through accidental injury, etc. > THANKS. The thanks of the Society arc due to its' honorary solicitors, tho police, for their valuable assistance and co-operation; to tho Press for friendly aid, and reports of the Society's proceedings throughout tho year; to tho Chief Veterinarian, and its honorary auditor; to the directors of the Wellington Steam Ferry Company, for the use of the Company's room for the fortnightly meetings of the Society; to those young ladies who added £13 to the funds of the Society by means of an entertainment; to tho Thorndon Amateur Dramatic Society, who gave tho net proceeds of two performances, amounting to £20 os. 2d., and to thoso friends who have roported cases, and otherwise assisted the Society in its work.

Tho Committee lias decided that in the interests of the Society, a paid secretary should bo appointed, whoso officc shall bo known as the Ofiico of the Socicty. The Committee earnestly request any person observing, or knowing of cases of cruelty to kindly conmuinicato with the Society's. Inspector or Secretary, so that the samo may be .promptly investigated. Information thus given will be treated as confidential when so desired. BALANCE SHEET. The balance sheet shows that £24 ss. od. was carried forward from last year, and this, added to the receipts for the year under review, £19!) 10s. Sd., makes a total of £223 16s. Id. The expenditure amounted to £177 ss. Sd., leaving a credit balance at the bank of £16 10s. sd.