A TUBERCULOUS BEAST
SEFFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH,
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1917
A TUBERCULOUS BEAST
At the Rotherham West
Riding Court, yesterday Samuel Ardron (63), was summoned for depositing for the
purpose of preparation for sale unsound meat and for having an unlicensed
slaughter-house; and Horace Ardron (21) and Samuel Hancock (43) were proceeded
against for aiding and abetting in the first-named offence. Mr. Jackson
prosecuted for the Rawmarsh District Council, and Mr. Ellison barrister
(instructed by Mr. E. J. Twigg), defended.
Mr. Jackson said the
case was due the action of two police officers, who, at 11.30 on the night of
February 1st, saw Hancock and the younger Ardron leave the former’s house,
carrying a pole-axe, ropes, and other tackle for killing. The officers kept the
men under observation, and followed them to Ardron's farm. The men went into
the cow-house. The officers remained outside until they heard the pole-axe
fall, and then saw three or four men assisting to dress the beast. The men were
at work until 2.15 a.m. Later in the morning, Mr. Whitehead, Inspector of
nuisances, found the animal hanging from abeam in the roof in the ordinary way,
as though in preparation for sale. The place where the beast was slaughtered
was filthy, with mud and blood all over the floor. The condition of the carcase
was such that Hancock as a butcher must have known that it was not fit for
human consumption, yet he spent two hours in dressing the beast.
Sergeant Clapham
corroborated this statement.
Police-constable Dent
also gave evidence in support.
James Whitehead
described his examination of the carcase. The flesh was wet, flabby, and
tuberculous. He spoke to the older Ardron about it, and he said the beast had
been ailing with rheumatism.
Dr. Menzies, Medical
Officer of Health, said he examined the carcase, and considered it was unfit
for food.
Mr. Ellison, in
defence, said there was no doubt at all about the animal being a tuberculous
state. It bad been suffering for some time, and reached such a state that it
could not stand. It got on the ground, and was in considerable pain. It was
impossible to remove the beast for slaughter. As to depositing the carcase for
the purpose of preparation for sale counsel said there was no intention of
selling the carcase for food.
Horace Ardron said when
met by Mr. Whitehead be was going to notify Mr. Parkin, of Rotherham, whom
understood was the proper man to deal with the case.
Hancock said killed the
beast to put it out of its agony. He told them they must on no account offer
any part for sale, and must report it at once.
The summons in regard
to the slaughter-house was dismissed. For the other offences Samuel Ardron was
fined £10, and Horace Ardron and Hancock £5 each.