DAMAGES SOUGHT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 264, 5 October 1933, Page 8

DAMAGES SOUGHT.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ALSATIAN DOG.

Per Press Association

AUCKLAND, Oct. 5. Alleging that an Alsatian dog had been responsible for destroying 64 sheep by biting them on the neck, William Finlay, farmer, of Maunu, brought an action in the Supreme Court for £IOO damages from George and Vera Torkar, of Patumalioe, jointly and severally. Counsel said that plaintiff on April 25 found 200 of his sheep herded in a swamp and many lambs had been bitten in the neck. It was considered that the sheep had been in the swamp for at least 24 hours. Fifty were dead, some being drowned, and some smothered. The next morning, in the vicinity of the sheep, he found two dogs, one sitting on its haunches and the other, an Alsatian, worrying the sheep. He shot it. The next day lie discovered six sheep dead. Counsel said the only Alsatian in the district belonged to defendants. Torkar said the dog belonged to his wife.

Counsel was refused permission to increase the claim to £lB7 ss.

Counsel for the defence said they admitted that the dog shot on the second occasion was responsible for the damage on that occasion, and that it was owned by Torkar, but they denied that it was responsible for the damage done on the first occasion. Plaintiff, in evidence, told Mr Justice Herdman, that he had • had no trouble since he had shot the dog.

His Honour: I can’t understand why they allowed the Alsatian to come into the country. Cross-examined, plaintiff said he had shot the second dog later because it was a young dog and had had a very bad lesson. He did not know which dog was responsible for the major damage, but he was satisfied, from the similarity of the injuries to the sheep, that the same dog was responsible. Defendant, George Torkar, said he owned an Alsatian, which he did not usually lock or fie up. It was a coward and would not bite anyone. It could not have been responsible for the major kill, as it was locked up a.t that time. Witness had offered to pay for the six sheep killed on the second occasion. The dog was not all Alsatian, but was a half-bred sheep dog. His Honour: He would be fond of sheep then. . Evidence was given that there had been instances of sheep worrying in the district since the Alsatian and the other dog were shot. The case is proceeding.