The Sun.
London, England, 1840-09-03 00:00:00

BO W-STREET.

James Ringwood, a carter in the service of Mr.
Hopkins, cog-merchant, Windmill-street, Haymarket,
was yesterday summoned before Mr. Henry, at the in-
stance of the Society for the Pravention of Cruelty to
Animals, for having, on the 19th in*t., wantonly and
cruelly ill-treated a mare he had in charge by striking
her s iolently on the eye with a whip which was heavily
loaded, to which he pleaded Not guilty.
Mr. Thomas, the Secretary, conducted the case.
Mr. Thomas Lee, the comedian, being sworn, said
that about mid-day on Wednesday fortnight., he was
passing through Castle-street, Long-acre, and on getting
into Hanover street, he saw a horse and cart turn the
corner. The horse was walking slowly, and the &fen-
dant ran to take the reins, which having laid hold of,
ho took up a large whip in both his hands, with the
heavy end of which he struck the animal on the eye.
Toe blow was quite uncalled for, as the horse was per-
fectly quiet at the time, Witness told him he was act-
ing in a most cruel and wanton manner, and he de-
served to be taken before a Magistrate for such con-
duct, upon which he walked round, and having lifted
the horse's foot, pulled off a shoe that was loose, and
attached to the hoof only by a nail.
Mr. HENRY asked if the blow was of such a nature
as to cause much torture to the horse ?

Witness said he was surprised the poor animal had
not fallen, for it appeared completely stunned, and
it even trembled from the efrlcts of the blow. On going
up to the defendant to remonstrate with him for such
conduct, he said, in a very sulky manner, " You be
damned, what have you to do with it ?"
Mr. Thomas said that he had Mr. Dermot, the well-
knoA n anatomist, as a voluntary witness, but in conse-
quence of his professional engagements, he was com-
pelled to go away before the case was called on.
In answer to the complaint the defendant said, that
he had struck the mare to prevent accidents occurring,
as she was at times unmanageable.
Mr. Hopkins said the defendant had been in his ser-
vice between two and three years, during which time he
had never t.► find fault with him for ill-treating any
horse, although he was in the habit of horsing stage-
coaches and waggons. He knew the mare was inclined
to be vicious at this season of the year, and he bad often
occasion to guide her himself, as he feared some accident
might happen.

Mr. HENRY observed that it would show more con-
cern under such a circumstance to guide her quietly
than to act in such a barbarous manner.

Mr. Hopkins said she was a very valuable animal,
and although he wanted to dispose of her, the defendant
prevailed upon him to keep her, as she did the work so
well.

Mr. Lee added. that when he caked the defendant
why he acted in such a cruel manner, he said, " Why
does'nt she do what I desire her."

Mr. HENRY considered, that even taking into ac-
count what the owner said about the mare, nothing
could justify such inhuman conduct, and he was sur-
prised to see the employers of such persons as the de-
fendant, constantly corning forward whenever such com-
plaints were preferred, let the evidence be ever so con.
elusive, to screen their servants, when they ought to
feel obliged to the Society for discharging a duty so
important to the public, and to them in particular:; but
as the defendant had received such a character he
would mitigate the penalty to thirty shillings and costs,
or imprisonment for fourteen days.
The owner of the mare on being applied to said,
No, I never pay any such lines," and the defendant
was ordered to be locked up.