A Savage.

Manawatu Herald, 5 October 1893, Page 2

A Savage.

Used a dumb animal, to wit, burning a living horse until it died. This shocking act was committed on the lpth August, and Mounted-Constable Tait was instructed to inquire into tile cdse 1 . The Society for the Prevention of druelty to Animals also took up the case, and was represented by Mr S.. B. Backhouse, of. Messrs Backhouse & Mellor, Melbourne. Two witnesses were called, \. t Edward Fellowes and Edith Chamberlain/ both children. They stated that ott the date mentioned Hand was riding the animal along the South Wandin road when it dropped from exhaustion. Accused made no effort to assist the animal to its feet, but calmly collected a quantity of dry timber from the roadside atfd piled it round the beast whilst it was lying down. Aiter covering the horse in this manner he set fire to the wood, and then waited to watch the death agonies of the unfortunate horse. Hand then went to his residence, got an axe, returned, and cut a quantity of thick wood and laid it on the fire, so that the carcase would be thoroughly consumed. He made no defence, and Mr Backhouse asked that the maximum j penalty' b'£ inflicted. The Bench characterised Hands' action as that of a fiend, sentenced him to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, without the option of a fine, and made an order for £4 Gs fid, costs against him. Hand is of a most peculiar disposition. He was fined £10 at the "Fitzroy Court for ill-using a horse, and was also fined at the Lilyrlale Court for ill-treating a dog. He. frequently writes to the Lands „ Department, stating that there are people at Sonth Wandin endeavouring to rob him, and asking for prptectiou.

A revolting case of cruelty to a ■ horse was heard at the Lilydale Police Court, Melbourne, two weeks ago. A resident of Wandin South, named Frederick Hand, a Germany was charged with having cruelly ill -