Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 11 June 1904
Ill-Treating a Pit Pony at Conisboro’
Wm. Hanks, a driver, of Mexbro’, was summoned for cruelly ill-treating a pony at Conisboro’ on the 13th May.
Mr. W. M. Gichard appeared to prosecute for the Colliery Company, and said the defendant was in charge of a pony named “Sam” in the Denaby mine on the 14th May, about 3.30 a.m.
He was seen descending an incline with his pony, which was drawing a number of full tubs. When he got to the bottom he had to steady the pony a little, in order to get the tubs into the proper way.
The pony stuck fast for some little time, and the defendant got a drag and struck it. He also struck it with a locker two blows on the near side, although the animal was doing its best to pull the tubs.
There was no reason whatever why the defendant should ill-treat the pony in that manner.
It was common knowledge that the pony was a very willing worker, and the defendant had himself expressed satisfaction with the animal, and also a desire to work it.
The company felt it was a very bad case, as the pony was an old one, and did nothing to deserve the punishment meted out to it by the defendant. It had caused it much pain and suffering.
He hoped the Bench would inflict such punishment upon the defendant to act as a deterrent upon him and also as a warning to others.
John Cooper and James Saggers gave evidence of the cruelty.
John Guest, horsekeeper at the Denaby Main Colliery, said on the 13th May he let the pony in question out to the defendant at ten o’clock at night.
The defendant had often expressed his fondness for that animal.
When it was returned, he examined it, and found it to be suffering from swellings on both sides of its body. Considerable force must have been used to cause them.
The defendant, who pleaded guilty, expressed his regret.
He had worked in the pit a long time, and this was the first time he had been brought up before a court.
He was fined 20s. and the costs, £1 3s. 6d.