Cruelty to a Pony at Denaby Pit

Arthur Cooke, a driver, was summoned for cruelty to a pony at Denaby pit on March 15.

Mr Hickmott, solicitor, prosecuting on behalf of the colliery company, and stated about 10 o’clock in the evening the drivers were leaving the pit, and at the top they had to wait for a run to be drawn up. Amongst the drivers was the defendant, who was in charge of a poorly known by the name of Sailor. There were standing for a time, and the pony held its head down. Without any reason whatever the defendant took a run and kicked the pony, say, “Get up you sleepy cow.” The kick took the skin off the pony jaw, which began to bleed.

When the defendant saw the pony bleeding he said, “Throw some muck upon it and it will appear an old wound.” This was done. The skin was knocked off the jaw by a kick, and upon the bone underneath a lump was raised the size of a walnut. The pony had not been able to eat or work since, and would not be able to work for another week.

Commenting on defendant’s conduct, and the fact that the pony had been rendered unfit for work for the a month, Mr Hickmott said it was a bad case, and asked the magistrates to inflict such punishment as will be a warning to the other workmen in the pit that they must not treat animals in the cruel manner the defendant had done.

Harry Bunting, a driver, of 212 High Street, Mexborough, said he was leaving his work and bringing out his pony at 10 o’clock at night on March 15. He was at number 38 passby, and had to wait there with the other drivers, amongst whom was the defendant, until a run of corves was drawn. Defendant was driving Sailor, and he punched the animal underneath the jaw. When the animal began to bleed defendants said, “Throw some muck upon it and it will appear like an old wound.” The pony was standing still and doing nothing when it was kicked.

Defendant denied that he had anything on his foot that would hurt the pony in the manner described.

Mr Hickmott said he ought to have informed the Bench in his opening statement that the kick had been so severe that the eyes of the pony been swollen up.

John Guest said he examined the pony when it was brought in, and he described its condition. The eyes of the pony were also bruised, and it had not been able to work since.

Defendant called James Robertson who said the defendant kicked the animal because it was nodding off to sleep.

The Chairman (Mr Jobb) said this was a very gross case of cruelty, and sentenced the defendant to 21 days imprisonment.