COCKATOO IN COURT
OWNER CHARGED WITH CRUELTY. WELLINGTON, March 11. A white cockatoo in a cage disappointed a crowd which filled the hack of the A! agist rate’s Court to-day when John Kennedy, a second hand dealer, was charged with ill-treating the bird because like the owl in the recitation, “it never stirred or said’ a word.” Two witnesses gave evidence that they had seen Kennedy shaking the cage and kicking it along the floor of the shop tor about ten minutes. The cage was full of feathers. Temporary Constable Smith s aid that when he interviewed Kennedy the latter told him he had no business ill the shop and that he could lie fined for trespass. Kennedy, said witness seemed excited, and appeared to have had one or two drinksAfr Leicester said that Kennedy said lie had lookocl after the hire! for a year and evidence could he called to show he had always treated it kindly. Oil the evening in question he was feeding the bird, when it poked its head between the bars of the cage and hit his lip. and wrenched away some of his moustache (laughter). Defendant .jumped hack and the cage fell to the floor. A man of more elementary passions might justifiably have wrung the bird’s neck, continued counsel, amid renewed laughter. Kennedy, however, decided to administer a severe shaking, hot he was not guilty of cruelty.
Kennedy admitted shaking the cage lut denied having kicked it. He had had two drinks during the day. The constable said he would charge him with assault and naturally defendant was a little unset. Sub-Inspector Harvey (to Kennedy): How did you get so close to the cage? —My wife and T have a way of asking the bird to kiss us, “kiss cocky.” (laughter), and perhaps T was a hit too familiar and paid the penalty. Tt was not drink that made you familiar?—Not- at all. If the bird had Litton part of your moustache off, Air Harvey, would you not have been annoyed ?
The Sub-Inspector: I would not have got close enough for that to happen. (Laughter).
Afr Page. S.AL “I don’t think the evidence lias disclosed cruelty and the charge will be dismissed.
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Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1927, Page 2
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369COCKATOO IN COURT Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1927, Page 2
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