CATS IN CAGES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1930, Page 2

CATS IN CAGES

CHINAMAN FINED. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association WELLINGTON, Nov. 7. An old custom in China is to confine cats to cages during the time that the crops are being planted, accord ng to Ah Wong, who appeared in the police court to-day, charged with ill treating two cats by confining them to two small cases.

He cannot import cruel customs from China into this country,” said Magistrate Woodward, in imposing a fine of £4.

James Henry, Inspector to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Afiiinals, said that oil Octobei* 28 th. he visited the p'refli'.ses of Ah Wong fit 154 Taranaki Street. He saw two cats, .each in. fi case, Mefisurtig SQitt, by 10 in. by 15'n, Thu cases wore toy small to allow of the animals turning round without twisting the’r bodies. Ah Wong said he had to keep the cats in the cases, as he had some young plants growing in the yard and the cats would scratch them out. He admitted the animals had been fastened up in the cases for two weeks but the information that was given witness was that they were there for two months. The eats were wild' to get out, and they had snapped and scratched at witness’s hand.

Ah Wong, through an interpreter, said he valued the cats, and as he had wanted to keep them he had put them in the cases during the planting season. He did not look upon it as ill-treat-ment. The cats continually scratched out his seeds. He was satisfied they had sufficient room in wlr’ch to turn. The Magistrate said he was not satisfied.