CRUELTY TO COWS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 288, 10 July 1875, Page 2

CRUELTY TO COWS.

A “ dairyman and doctor” sends to the New York Tribune the following particulars of the loss of a valuable cow from a large tumor upon the udder:—“ The cause of the tumor—which was really what is known as a neutral hernia or rupture of the abdominal sac—was a kick by a brutal at tendant. I have seen thoughtless persons, angered by what they were led to regard as stubbornness or viciousness of a cow, and forgetting the serious danger of a kick or heavy blow, thus abuse the poor animal whose only fault was really bewilderment at the violent aud unreasonable treatment to which she was subjected. Nothing conld be more cruel and injurious, or more foolish, for in this way a man destroys his own valuable property. Repeatedly I have applications for advice about swellings, tumors, aud inflammatory disorders of cows and oxen, which are, more than probable, in great part due to illtreatment of this character, or accidents from injuries by other cattle, which might have been avoided by case and watchfulness. My correspondent suggests that women instead of men should be about the cowhouses. This is a serious reflection upon the character of the men, and the comparative justice of the suggestion is fruitful of regret and sympathy for the poor, patient, ill-used cows. But I could not, therefore, endorse the suggestion. The proper department of the woman is the household, and the cowhouse has no claim upon her. With equal justice might women be called upon to drive oxen and horses, because men are often equally unkind to them. On the contrary, I would enforce upon the men the extreme cruelty of beating or kicking a cow, and in addition its worse than uselessness ; for the con* — a naturally gentle animal — is rendered fearful, apprehensive, wild, and rebellious by it, and her management is made infinitely more difficult. No animal is brought by a kind, considerate treatment from calf hood up, nearerto a well-regulated, smoothlyrunning, and perfectly manageable machine than a cow.”