Cambridge Independent Press 23 Jul 1909: Annie Birch witness to cruelty to a horse

CRUELTY TO A HORSE

Cambridge Man Fined by the County Magistrates

At the Cambridge Division Petty Sessions on Saturday, before Lieut-Colonel Hurrell (in the chair), Professor Courtney Kenny, H. H. Wiles, W. W. Clear, E. H. Thornhill, and J. Lambert, Esqs., George Cornwell, labourer, of 9 Henley-road, Cambridge was summoned for cruelty to a horse, by working it in an unfit state at Trumpington, on July 9th, and Arthur Shrive, basket-maker, of 3 Peas Hill, Cambridge, was summoned for having caused the cruelty. – They pleaded not guilty.

Annie Birch, living at “The Volunteer,” Trumpington, stated that on July 9th, about 10.30 a.m., Cornwell went to the house and asked if they could put up a horse for him which he said was lame. The animal, which was attached to a cart, was walked into the yard, and witness saw it went lame.

Inspector Laird, R.S.P.C.A., stated that from information received, he went to Mr. Saint’s place in Devonshire-road, Cambridge. He there saw a brown horse, which was very lame on the oft fore leg, and the tendons from the knee downwards were broken away, and giving out. The horse was unable to bear any weight on the limb. It was in a poor condition. On the near shoulder there was a large wound and there was a smaller one on the ridge of the back. Cornwell came into the yard and witness asked him if he were aware of the condition of the animal, and why he worked it, and he replied “It is not all my fault, I left Newmarket-road with the cart at 8 o’clock. I was glad that I did not meet a policeman on the way or he would have locked me up. When I got to “The Volunteer” at 10 o’clock the horse was completely knocked up.” Defendant also said that he left “The Volunteer” about 9 o’clock in the evening, but finding that the animal could go no farther Mr. Saint let him put it in his stable.

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