CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1857, 31 May 1884, Page 2

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Mr NoiiTHCHOFT gave judgment in the cruelty to animals case against William Faulkner, the late diher of the Arolia coach, yesterday, His Worship said he had looked up several of the bast authorities extant on the horse, and he found that they generally agree that the so-called foundered horse should not be worked, that it is, in fact, cruelty to work him. A number of the witnesses in this case the previous day said the horse was "chest-foundered." He found that this proceeds from neglect in the first place, and theiefore considered it was cruelty to dnvc the mare in question. At tho same time, as by the testimony of the witnesses, it seemed to be generally accepted as a fact that it does fjood in some cases to drhe lame horses, he should dismiss the ea«-e with a caution. In future he would punish offenders in this regard. Mr T. G. Sandes, agent of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said he thought the verdict would quite meet the views of the Society, which had no desire to persecute anybody. But it was necessary to do away with the impression that it is not cruelty to drive horses in such a state as was the mare in question, or, as people commonly termed them, "foundered horses." He thought the present prosecution would have a salutary effect on horse-owners and drivers generally, • and ho hoped the police authorities throughout the district would see their way to carry out the act in its integrity. Sergt. McGovern said the police would be happy to render the Society all the assistance hi their power. Rngarding the question of costs, Mr Sandes said he would forego all claims and expenses on his part.