Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 06 February 1904
A Case of Cruelty to a Bus Horse
A case of cruelty to a ’bus horse has come to our notice, and which ought to be further investigated by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Some little time ago a Denaby ’bus, drawn by two horses, journeyed to Swinton Midland Station to meet the Denaby footballers, who had been playing down in Derbyshire. Returning to Denaby the two horses were unequal to the task of drawing the wagonette up the hill near the Swinton canal bridge.
Further on, near the Great Central Railway arches, one of the horses collapsed and fell down. It was raised up, but again the animal collapsed. The horse was then unyoked and was tied to the back of the wagonette, which proceeded on its journey with only one horse in the shafts.
When nearly opposite the Commercial Hotel, the horse at the back of the wagonette again collapsed, and eventually the animal was taken down Hope Street, where it was killed.
The case is one of awful cruelty, and those responsible should certainly be prosecuted.