The Sun.
London, England, 1832-05-04 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.

Mr. MACKINNON'S BILL to PREVENTth
IMPROPER TREATMENT of ANIMALS.

ABSTRACT of the BILL to prevent Cruelty to Animals,
brought in by WILLIAM ALEXANDER /11ACKINNON,
Esq. ; read a first time in the House of commons on
the 18th April, 1832.

Clause 1. Repeals, from the 31st of July next,
the Enactments made by the Act of 21st Geo. 1II•
c. 67, entituled an " Act to prevent the mischiefs
that arise from driving cattle in the Cities of London
and Westminster, and Bills of Mortality ;" and also
the 3d Geo. IV. c. 71, entituled an "Act to prevent
the cruel and improper treatment of cattle."
11. Enacts that if any person shall, from and aftt r
the 31st day of July, 1832, wantonly or cruelly beat,
abuse, torture, ill-treat, or keep without sufficient
food, any horse, mare, bull, ox, cow, mule, ass, sheep,
lamb, or other cattle, or any domestic animal, or
shall otherwise ill-treat, or shall drive or convey, or
cause to be driven in any waggon or other convey-
ance, so as to cause unnecessary torture or pain to
any such animal, or if any person, not being hired
to drive cattle within London and Westminster, or
elsewhere, shall pe►t with stones, or beat, or by any
other means drive or hunt away, or set dogs at any
such cattle; every such offender, being convicted,
shall forfeit for the first offence a sum not exceeding
40s or less than 10s., and for the second offence be
imprisoned for not less than two or more than three
months.

111. Empowers constables and peace-officers in
London, Westminster, Middlesex, and every county
or city in England, Wales, or Ireland, to seize
offenders, and take them before a M4gistrate.
IV. Enacts that the Court of Mayor and Alder-
men in London, or the Mayor and Aldermen in
every city, town, or borough in England, Wales,
and Ireland, or county Magistrates, may make by-
laws similar to those now made by the Mayor and
Court of Aldermen of the city of London, for the
regulation of the markets, the numbers and badges
of the drovers, and other regulations for the markets
and for the humane treatment of animals and castle,
and to prevent unnecessary cruelty in slaughtering
the same.

VI. Enacts further regulations, and recites ad-
ditional powers granted to the Mayor and Court of
Aldermen in the city of London, the Mayors and
Magistrates in cities and boroughs, and the Magi-
strates of the several counties in England, Wales,
and Ireland.

VII. Gives the details of proceedings towards
persons offending against this Act.
VIII. Enacts that all slaughter-houses, knackers'
yards, and other places of a similar description, shall
be registered, and also be open to the inspection of
constables, peace-officers, or inspectors appointed
by the parish ; and also that any respectable indi-
vidual, having obtained the Magistrate's permission
under his hand, may, at due hours in the daytime,
visit such places to prevent and report any cases of
wanton cruelty; and further, that such slaughter-
houses, knackers' yards, or places used as such, shall
be yearly licensed by Mayor or Magistrates, as the
case may be. . .

IX. Enacts that all places so licensed shall have
the words " Licensed for Slaughtering Cattle" or
" Knackers' Yard," over the door of the said room,
or cellar, or place, in letters not less than one inch in
length, and of a proportionate breadth, &c.
X. Enacts a fine and the manner in which the
penalty is to be levied on those not obeying the di.
rections contained in the last clause.

XI. Enacts that the owner or pro?rietor of such
slaughter-house, cellar, or knackers' yard shall be re-
sponsible if the tenant or person offend►ng against
this Act cannot be found or made answerable.

XII. Empowers the Vestry in any parish to no-
minate and appoint one or more persons to be In-
spectors in their several parishes of all such slaughter.
houses, sheds, or places used as such.
XIII. Explains the duties of such Inspectors
acting under the authority of the said Vestry, to
enter into all such places as are enumerated in the
last clause; to ascertain and report how the cattle
are slaughtered; if any unnecessary cruelty is exer-
cised ; if the animals are in a healthy state, fit for the
food of man; and in case of necessity, to make a
report thereof to the proper authorities.
XIV. Authorizes the Vestry to remunerate the
said Inspectors out of the money levied fur poor-rate.
XV. Enacts a penalty not exceeding 5/. or less
than 40s. to be levied on those persons keeping pits,
in which dogs and bears, or other animals, are set
to fight against each other, and baited.
XVI. Awards imprisonment for any time not
exceeding two months, if the penalties hereby im-
posed are not paid.
XVII. Further provisions on the same subject
XVIII. Enacts a penalty on a witness if sum-
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XXI. Awards a fine on any constable or pence—
officer refusing or neglecting to serve such summons.
XXII. Gives half the penalty awarded by ma
gistrates for offences against this Act to the poor o,
the parish ; the other half to the informer.
XXIII. Enacts that a party, though entitled ti
half the penalty, may be deemed a competent witness.
XXIV. Limits the time of prosecuting wide.