CRUELTY TO ANIMALS BILL.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 83, 2 October 1878, Page 3

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS BILL.

This Bill, of 12 clauses, repeals the Provincial Acts of Nelson and Otago on this subject. It provides that "any person cruelly beating, ill-treating, overdriving, over-riding, abusing, or torturing any animal, or causing or procuring any animal to be cruelly beaten, illtreated, over-driven, over-ridden, abused, or tortured, shall be guilty of an offence, and shall for every such offence forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding ten pounds ; and that any person slaughtering, branding, conveying, or carrying, or causing or procuring to be slaughtered, branded, conveyed, or carried, any animal in such a manner or position as to subject such animal to unnecessary pain or suffering, shall be held to be illtreating, abusing, and torturing such animal within the meaning of the Act." Persons causing damage by cruelty are to be liable to the owner of the animals. Constables may take possession of animals cruelly treated, and detain vehicles as security for payment of any fine to be imposed. Bull, dog, and cock fighting are prohibited. Constables may arrest on their own view, or on complaint, unless the name and address be given. Actions must be brought within one month. Warrants may be issued when necessary, and the magistrates are to have the power of ordering imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for any period not exceeding six months, without the option of a fine.