Cambridge Chronicle 13 Jan 1872: Sheep scab in Trumpington

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A SHEEP DEALER

Nathan Bond Scott, sheep-dealer, of Ashwell, Herts., was charged with neglecting to report the existence of sheep scab in his flock at Newton, on the 25th of November. Also, neglecting to report the existence of the same disease in 200 of his sheep at Trumpington, on the 15th of December. He was further summoned for causing 20 sheep having scab, to be removed on the highway at Trumpington, on the 15th of December.

. . .

Deputy Chief Constable Stretten said: I am inspector under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, appointed by the local authority, for the Cambridge Division. . . .

. . .

Mr. Scott was then charged with neglecting to report the existence of scab amongst 200 sheep in the parish of Trumpington, on the 16th of December, whereby he rendered himself liable to a penalty of £1,000. This was a separate flock to that mentioned in the first case; and the sheep were depastured on the farms of Mr. Fetch and Mr. Masters, at Trumpington.

Mr. Stretten stated that on the 16th of December he saw a flock of sheet (of about 100) on the Linton road, in charge of a man named Everett, a drover in the employ of Scott. The same evening he saw the same sheep in a field of Mr. Fetch’s, at Trumpington. A note was delivered to him that evening by P.-c. Ash, signed “N. B. Scott,” reporting the existence of foot disease on the farms of Mr. Fetch and Mr. Masters, at Trumpington. On the afternoon of the 19th, witness and Mr. Sparrow (veterinary surgeon) paid those farms a visit, and found all 228 sheep affected with scab.

Mr. HORACE BROWNE (for the defence): Do I understand you to say that you have never received notice in this case?

Witness: Not of the sheep scab.

Mr. HORACE BROWNE: Pray what do you call this (letter put in)

Witness: Notice of the foot and mouth complaint.

Mr. HORACE BROWNE: Oh, very well. Did you not receive that letter from P.-c. Ash on the 16th of December?

Witness: Yes, late in the evening.

. . .

The letter was here read. It informed Mr. Stretten that defendant a week previous had 300 sheep sent to Mr. Fetch’s farm near Cambridge, and that on Thursday, when he saw them, he found they were falling lame. Would Mr. Stretten send or go himself to look at them? From their appearance, Scott thought it would turn to the foot disease. The 100 sheep Mr. Stretten saw that day, came from Bury on Thursday. The “gent” assured defendant they had all been through the complaint. The letter proceeded to the following effect: I have also two flocks of sheep at Mr Masters’s farm. I saw them on Thursday. There were two of them lame; you will oblige me by looking at them. . . .

. . . the Bench said they had decided to dismiss the last case.