CAVE CANEM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4002, 7 August 1915, Page 7

CAVE CANEM.

CHARGE OF KEEPING A SAVAGE DOG. MAGISTRATE ORDERS IT TO BE KEPT ON THE CHAIN.

A charge of keeping a dangerous dog was preferred by the police against Harold Hocking at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M. Senior-Sergeant H. D. Hutton conducted the prosecution, while, defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr LI. Ethcrington. Rowland Smith, a lad of 11. who appeared with his left arm in a sling, said lie resided with his parents at 33 Rang! Street. On July 29 he was going to his home about 1.45, when a sheep dog rushed out of Mrs Scott’s gate and bit witness on the right leg. He had to be taken to a doctor. The dog belonged to defendant. Mr Etherington said that they did not dispute the ownership or the bite. Continuing, witness said that ho had never teased the dog, but bad imitated it. About eight weks ago he threw stones at the dog. By Mr Etherington: Witness had been playing with tlve dog for some time. Other children had played with it, and it had not bitten them. The dog caught hold of the skirt of witness’ mother the same day as it had bitten witness.

Annie Smith, mother of the previous witness, said that the dog 1,1 question had annoyed her on many occasions. It frequently rushed out at witness, and had caught hold of her skirt about an hour before it bit her sou. She considered the dog a dangerous dog. , , , Bv -Mr Etherington: r l be dog had frequently frightened witness. Mr Etherington: When you were with your son? Do yon think the dog knew you were the boy s mother. Witness- T am sure I don't know. Harold Hocking, the defendant, said his dog was a sheep dog, about 18 months old. It, had never bitten anyone else to- witness’ knowledge. The flog bad played with Mrs .Scot vs children and other children frequently. Witness was a station hand, aiul the dog was valuable to Ir’ti. He was only boarding in town, ami was lea\ing immediately for the country His Worship: Permit s hat will got over the difficulty. Proceeding, witness' said that no had frequently seen Rowland Smith teasing the dog. . , Martha Scott said that defendant boarded with witness.- 1 lie dog in question was one of the quietest sue bad ever known, and played with witness’ children. Bv Senior-Sergt. Hutton: lhe reason the dog flew at Airs Smith was because the bov had teased it. Elsie I locking, wile of the defendant, said that she bad frequently seen the boy Smith teasing the dog. V itness heard Rowland Smith harking at the dog, and shortly afterwards tne hoy came to her and .said he had been bitten. Witness bound up his wound, and sent him home. , His Worship made au order that tin do <r should be kept on the chain until removed from the neighborhood and ordered defendant to pay 9s costs. Defendant, in answer to His Moi ship, said he was taking the dog to Wharekopae to-day.