§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, during the week ended 17th July last, a young dog was destroyed in the Militia barracks at Cavan; will he say how this animal was killed, and whether it was destroyed with blank cartridge, the same being discharged in its mouth and ears, and the animal being ultimately dispatched with a dummy rifle; is there a full or any supply of ammunition in this barracks; will he say who was in charge, and why the dog was killed; whether any report was made of this outrage, and the nature of the same?
§ Mr. HALDANEIt appears that the dog in question, which was believed to be mad, bit a child, and that the owner, on attempting to capture it, was also bitten. A small quantity of ball cartridge was in charge of the quarter-master, but as under the Regulations it could not be obtained without a requisition signed by an officer, the owner asked for a round of blank cartridge, which happened to be available, to enable him to stun the dog and so obviate further risk of being bitten. The owner discharged the cartridge in the mouth of the dog, which was then dispatched with a club. No report was made by the owner to the Civil authorities, as he considered that he had done all that was necessary for the public safety.