1883-11-23qq

Dogs figured prominently in the Hamilton Police Court Proceedings of  November 22, 1883.
The first case involved a man who had been bitten by a dog :

 “James Taylor, who was bitten by a dog several days ago and came to the Police Court to demand the destruction of the canine, was on hand again today, the case having been adjourned.

“Mr. Taylor was still bent on having the dog’s life. So long as it lived, he dreaded hypothermia. The Magistrate told him that he had no power to order the dog to be killed unless evidence was produced to prove that the dog had bitten somebody else. He advised Taylor to get a lawyer to conduct his case, but Taylor said he did not wish to spend any money in the matter. He showed a disposition to enter into an argument with the Magistrate on the matter of the case, when he was suddenly cut short and ordered to sit down.

“The charge was dismissed and Taylor strode out of court in great indignation, with his hat jammed down over his eyes.” 

 “He Wanted Prosecution ”

Hamilton Times.    November 22, 1883.

 The second case involved the actions of two men who had been hired to enforce a new bylaw requiring all dog owners in Hamilton to purchase tags for  their pets :

“Fred Hurty and Wm. McMillan, professional dogcatchers engaged by Mr. Stafford, Inspector under the dog bylaw, were before the Police Magistrate this morning, on complaint of Mrs. Bain, of Cannon street. She declared that yesterday some men – she knew not whom – had entered her yard, thrown a net over her pet dog, and carried him away. She was so excited over the loss of her poodle that she could not recognize either of the defendants as the man who did the deed. The witnesses produced by Mrs. Bain could not identify the defendants, and the case was accordingly dismissed. Hutty, however, admitted that he had added Mrs. Bain’s dog to his collection of canines, and that it was even at this moment pining in exile near the Crystal Palace. He said the dog did not have a tag on, and he and his mate had been instructed by the inspector to net all dogs which were without tags. The Magistrate told these two enemies of the canine race that they must not go into people’s premises to look after vagrant dogs. They were ordered to give back her pet to Mrs. Bain.”

“Dog Snatchers Snatched ”

Hamilton Times.    November 22, 1883.