SHOOTING AT CATS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1930, Page 3

SHOOTING AT CATS

TWO PROSECUTIONS.

AUCKLAND, March 7. 1 -,vo men who had shot cats were brought before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., at tlie Police Court this morning on summons.

Hie first was Charles Albert Sasse who pleaded not guilty to a charge 01 wilfully shooting a cat, the property of Edward Waugh. Defendant was represented by Mr W. F., Schramm. Edward Waugh said that on the

night of February 16, his black tom cat came home with its left (ye injured. He later complained to the police.

Mr Schramm: How many cats have you got?—Six. Mr Hunt: What! Six cats! What do you have haif-a-dozen for? Witness: To keep the rats down.

Mr Schramm: You must have a lot of rats. They must lie all rats in your place. Witness: Oh, no.

Mr Schramm said his client was a bird fancier and had recently lost several valuable birds, which had been consumed by cats. Sasse borrowed an air-gun which fired a. pellet as big as a .22 shot. He saw the black cat creeping along near where his pigeons came out of a loft. He fired at the cat. :

Air Hunt: A man has no right to shoot his neighbour’s, cat, you know, Air Schramm. “Well, what is lie to do then?” asked counsel. * :r-. r:

“Sue his neighbour for damages if he has lost a bird,” suggested the Magistrate. Air Schramm: The trouble is finding out whose cat it is. “We have got a leading ease on cats and pigeons,’’ said Mr Hunt. “It went to the House of Lords once.” Defendant was convicted and discharged. Ine other ca«c concerned one of two cats which were said to be fighting, in a house at Point Chevalier. Allen Keith Tracey, a, young man, admitted a charge of wilfully destroying a cat at Point Chevalier on December 22.

Mr Jordan, who appeared for Tracey. said his client was staying with his sister at the time. “About one o'clock in the morning,” said counsel, “there was a terrible hullalbaloo in the house, which caused .the- inmates to wake up. 'Two cats ’ were found fighting with eacli other on a bed where a child was sleeping.” Mr Hunt: I suppose they were making love with one; anothgj-. (Laughter.) .Mr Jordan added that Tracey did not have a weapon at the. time, but later lie secured a pea when the cat in question returned, he shot it.

Mr Hunt: It wasn’t making a noise then ?

No, sir. ; Tracey was convicted and ordered to pay costs. .j. . . •