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- 1010 THE POTTERY GAZETTE. November 1, 1893
Alleged Cruelty.-David Pulford, earthenware and china warehouseman, was summoned last month at the Stowmarket Petty Sessions, on the information of one of the inspectors of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, charged with cruelty to a mare ; and Edward Groom, a carman in the employ of Mr. Pulford, was charged with working the mare while in an unfit state. Inspector Strand said on Thursday, September 21, at 3.30, while in Bury-street, Stowmarket, he saw a black mare attached to a wagon laden with earthenware. He noticed the animal to be in poor condition, and apparently weak. He stopped Groom, who said he had just been to Needham Market, and was going home. The stables being not far off, witness went there and examined the mare. He found the near fore-knee lacerated and discharging. A bad bruise was on the inside of the near fetlock ; on the back was a wound about the size of a five-shilling piece, on which was placed a piece of rag. Ho asked (Irooni if he knew the mare had a sore back, and he said, "Yes," adding that he had called someone's attention to it. -Inspector Phillip, who saw the mare, deposed that the withers were raw from a wound. There was also a wound on the off fetlock, and on the left knee there was an old wound.-The Bench decided to hear another case against Mr. Pulford before giving their decision. The inspector deposed that after seeing the mare he went to Mr. Pulford and asked him if he was aware the mare's back was sore. He said he was, but did not think it was so bad. Witness told Mr. Pulford that under the most favourable circumstances the sore on the back would take a week to heal.-Mr. Pulford, who conducted his own case, called Alfred Edwards, who stated that he had been with Mr. Pulford over six years, and had full control of the trade horses. This mare's back was not sore when he sent it out on the morning of September 21, and whatever happened to it occurred during that day. The animal only travelled 3 miles ; had he thought it unfit to go out, he had another horse standing in the stable.-Mr. Frank Oakes said on Friday, September 22, he saw the black mare, and found the withers hard and dry. The animal did not flinch in the least when he nipped them, nor were they tender. He saw no wounds, nor was the skin broken. In his opinion, Mr. Pulford would be the last man to ill-treat any horse.-Mr. Pulford having addressed the Bench in defence, the Chairman said the magistrates did not think there was sufficient evidence to convict within the meaning of the Act, but there were sufficient .grounds to bring the case before them. The costs would be remitted.
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