CRUELTY TO PIGEONS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 206, 16 September 1937, Page 9

CRUELTY TO PIGEONS

-Press Association.)

Wounded and Tied to Stakes * USED AS SHOOTING DECOYS

(By Telograph-

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. Ey tying wounded pigeons to a stake, a father and two sons used them as decoys to attract other pigeons at which they shot. As a result, Henry Chesmai Senior, Henry Chesmar Junior, and Ansell James Chesmar, appeared in the Magistrate's Court charged with maimirig and tethering pigeons and thus causing, them unnecessary suffering. Mr, J. K. Moloney appeared for the Society for thc Prcvcntion of Cruelty to Animals and Mr. J. D. Godfrey appeared for the Chesmars. James Callaghan said he visitod his farm at Yaldhurst aud saw the men shooting pigeons. They had no authority to be on his land and he went over to intcrvicw them. Witncss said li* saw one pigeon telhered to a piece oi' brooiustick by a length of bindcr twine. He saw two otlier pigeons fluttering on the ground injured. As other pigconicame down they were shot at. Betweeu eighty and a hundred birds were shot. "I don't call it sporfc at all. I would say it was cruelty," witness added. Evidence was given by the three defendants and Charles Chesmar who was also present at the time, denying that the birds were tethered or that the in jured birds were left lying about. Thi method used wa6 to prop the dead bird'-. up hy stakes and wken pigeons flew above the decoys, they were shot at. Any that were wounde^. were iinmediately killed. "The Court does not believe the evidence of defendants or their witnesses," said Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M., "and they will each be convictod. " Henry Chesmar Senior was fincd aud costs and thc other two defendants 20s a » '~^r~ * ' '