"A MERCIFUL MAN IS MERCIFUL TO HIS BEAST."

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2576, 15 January 1889, Page 2

"A MERCIFUL MAN IS MERCIFUL TO HIS BEAST."

TO TUB EDITOR. rtiu,— Surelyniany people will agree with me that "cruelty" signifies various ways of ill-using animals without actually beating or otherwise ill-treating them, and I think leaving the ponr creatures penned Uμ in the suleyards this hot weather without any shade, and not a drop of water for a couple (if days is the greatest cruelty. Since Saturday's sale there have been several head of cattle in the pens, with the full blaze of the scorching sun on them, and calling out most pitifully, and very likely some were driven soma distance beforehand. Nor is this the first time this has bean observed by -•(..vijral people. Not lrnny weeks ago when Alt- MoXicul held his very large horse sale, there were horsts, cittln, and sonic very ynuiig calves left till over the next day. Whose fault is this? I daresay the owner or owners or whoever has tu do with tho matter would be indignant, and feel quite insulted if he or they were called "cruel," but treating these dumb animals like this is cruel. How many " drinks" of some kind did those present at the sale or in Cambridge feel compelled to take during tho day to quench their thirst, owing to the intense heat ? How many have taken their Sunday's ease, have eaten and drank their fill since Saturday? Oh! men, "How little you value the most useful gifts God has given you." how little thought you bestow on these poor dumb, uncomplaining creatures you call brutes, who work for you day by day, so patiently, so willingly, and by whose produce you aiid your children live ; who cannot complain, except in their own mute, wistful, dumb way. It is had enough leaving them with no water tit any time, even in paddocks, b'lt now the heat is so great, to see the poor things conpod up in those pens —their throats still choked with the dust Hying about by the precious day's traffic— irritated by the flies—the hot sun pouring on their dry, dusty skins, and to hear their cries is enough to rouse any one's pity and indignation. Cannot the buyers, or owners see to them after the sale, so that the poor crout-.Mv.s can get water and shade from the burning sun ! If these few words of mine can rouse any sympathy for our dumb friunds who are so good to us and bear all tlmir ill-iwage so patiently, I. shall indeed be glad.—l am, etc.,

OItSKKVKH, Cambridge, January 1-lth, 1881).