Cruelty Charge was Badly Presented
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\WHEN Bakewell magistrates last VV week decided a case concerning the carriage of a large load of sheep, they criticized the manner in which it had been presented by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The hearing had been adjourned from July -23, when John Deas, aged 39, 4, Hope Street, Bo'ness, was found_ guilty of cruelty to sheep in transit on the road.
Sentence, however, was deferred to enable the R.S.P.C.A., who had instituted the proceedings, to decide whether they proposed to take action against the defendant's employer and the owner of • the sheep.
The chairman said that in the opinion of the Bench, individuals who Should have been prosecuted had been left out. Proceedings were taken against only the lorry driver.
Whether the defendant :was right in taking a large load of sheep, the magistrates were not able to say, but having got the load the only thing Deas could do was to deliver, it as soon as possible. The R.S.P.C.A. Should have gone into the matter more thoroughly, he said.
The defendant was given an absolute discharge on payment of costs. An advocate's fee was not allowed.