COUPLING CALVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1920, Page 5

COUPLING CALVES.

CHARGE OF CRUELTY. PROSECUTION FAILS. An information laid against Reginald Wclsby by the Wellington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, on a charge of ill-treating fourteen calves, was dismissed by -Mr. E. Page, S.M. in the course of his judgment, Mr, Puge. said that the practice of coupling calves until they wei'e weaned i>o that the mother of one of them could suckle both was not common in Sew Zealand, but apparently it was adopted in other farming countries. In the present case, the defendant had been at some pains to ensure that the collars used were suitable, for they bad been {specially made of broad, pliable leather, with a connecting chain of suitable lengtln, and with a proper swivel. He was of the opinion that the case for the prosecution had not been established. The calves in question were in a very forward condition, and looked sleek and well. The couplings were of sufficient length to enable each animal to move comfortably, and to feed or lie down freely. The calves in each pair were evenly matched in size and age, and the .couplings wore discontinued as soon as the animais were weaned. The evidence indicated that the running of two calves with each cow was not detrimental to the latler; In fact, one witness, an expert, had expressed the opinion that one - calf would be quite unable to take the whole of the milk from one cow, and that the running of two calves to a cow was of advantage, in that it eliminated the danger of the overstocking of the udder and the dangers consequent thereon. Tn conclusion, lie expressed the opinion that the adoption of the system of coupling calves was not more inhumane than the keeping of a dog on a chain, the keeping of a calf tethered to n fence or a stake, or the working for long periods daily bullocks in yoke.