The Working of the Game Laws

November 1878

Mexborough Times, November 8.

The Working of the Game Laws.

Edward Smith, of Denaby, was summoned for being in possession of game on the 25th ult.

PC Midgley said that on Friday the 25th of last month he saw Smith, in company with four or five other men coming from Denaby village in the direction of the Denaby Colliery. He waited whilst they came to a house on the Conisbrough Road, and when Smith saw him he turned off the road near two new buildings. He (witness) followed and saw that Smith had something bulky in his pocket. He had a little dog with him and a stick which was covered with soil and clay. He at first said when asked, he had got nothing, but afterwards said “Oh, it’s a rabbit.”

In reply to a question as to where he got the rabbit, he said – “On the high way.”

The rabbits flesh was torn a good deal in the underparts.

The defendant said the rabbit he found was half eaten away; the one produced was not the one he had, but had been killed within a week. His little dog found the rabbit on the highway, so he put it in his pocket and took it away.

PC Midgley said the rabbit produced was the one he got from Smith.

The defendant called John Perkins and he was questioned by him – is that the rabbit the policeman took off me question.

It looks like the hind part of it.

Was it not eaten away? Look at the rabbit that is not so?

Yes, it is eaten away now.

Was this rabbit dead when I got it?

Certainly it was dead. The little dog found the rabbit and you went up and put it in your pocket.

In reply to the chairman, the witness said he did not know who killed the rabbit.

Thomas Potts was also called for the defence. He said he did not think the rabbit produced was the one he saw the defendant pull out of a hole by the roadside. He never saw the little dog pull the rabbit out of a burrow.

Mr Gillett: it was dead when you pulled it out though?

Witness: I was just passing at the time.

Fined 20 shillings, including costs; or 14 days hard Labour

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