§ MR. S. YOUNG (Cavan, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, is he aware that David Coote, a small farmer in Coonagore, County Cavan, in August last had two cows infected with rabies in consequence of being mangled by a mad dog, and was ordered by the Government to put them to death; that, on the death of the first cow, through ignorance he did not apply technically in accordance with the rules of the Board; on the second occasion he did, but was informed that he could get no compensation for his severe loss; and, will the Government investigate the matter with a view of granting Coote some compensation?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLThe slaughter of these two cows was not ordered by Government. One was killed by the owner the day after it had become affected with rabies; and the second cow, which was also suffering from the disease, was slaughtered by the Veterinary Inspector of the Cavan Union, under the direction of the Board Guardians, as the Local Authority. The Local Authority has no authority to award compensation for affected animals that are slaughtered. Compensation is only payable in the case of 1471 slaughter of an animal suspected to be suffering from rabies. The powers of an Irish Local Authority in this respect are the same as those attaching to a Local Authority in England.