Throwing a Dog on a Fire at Denaby

November 1878

Mexborough Times, November 29

Throwing a Dog on a Fire at Denaby.


Singular Case

Harriet Tomlinson, of Denaby, who was respectively attired, had been summoned by PC. Midgley, for cruelty to a dog at Denaby on the 11th inst.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

Willie Tomlinson said the defendant was his mother. On the 11th of last month they had a dog, and his mother threw it on the fire. The dog was badly burnt. It was about two months and a fortnight old. His father afterwards tookit to the place where he got it from.

Defendant: You know your father paid me, and I laid on the sofa for two hours before I could recover myself.

Witness: He never touched you until after you had thrown the dog on the fire, and broken the pots.

PC Midgley said that on the 11th inst. Tomlinson came to his station, and gave information about his wife throwing a dog on the fire. He saw the dog on the following morning, and it was badly burnt.

Defendant: Have you not encouraged my husband to do everything that was wrong?

Witness: No

Defendant: Yes, you have. You know that you came and touched me over the arm and that I told you to let me alone, as I was not to be bought with a bottle of brandy. Since then you encouraged my husband to do all that he possibly could to me.

Witness: Nonsense.

Defendant: (excitedly) You backed my husband up to beat me.

Police Supt Gillett (to witness): What about this bottle of brandy?

Witness: I know nothing about it.

Defendant: Yes, Sir, he has had a bottle of brandy from Slater´s.

Mr Gillett: Perhaps so – (to witness): Is there anything about her husband connected with it?

Witness: No

Defendant: After my husband had beaten me. I got a bottle of port for which I paid 1s 7d. My husband took it from me to Midgley’s and they drank it between them. The neighbours came in and saw him beating me.

The chairman: Of course you can get protection against your husband beating you. At the same time it is evident you bring it on yourself by getting drunk. Your own child gives evidence against you.

The defendant: yes, Sir, my child is told to do so. I did not put the dog of the fire. I know nothing about it. I was ill on the sofa at the time. He dragged me about by the hair and knocked my head from one end of the sofa to the other. My husband has been paying for whisky for Midgley, and they have been drinking it together at Slater’s.

I asked Midgley if it was right for him to beat me, and keep his money, and Midgley said “yes, it is right.” He has kept his wife out of doors for a week altogether and clammed her as well.

Fined 5s and costs, or seven days imprisonment.

The husband: I shall not pay anything. I shall not find a half penny

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