Sheffield Independent – Thursday 09 December 1937

Blind Man’s Grief For His Dog

The “death sentence” passed by Doncaster West Biding magistrates on Judy has robbed blind Thurnscoe man, Alfred Kittlestone, of 16, Edward street, of his only close companion.

Mr Klttlestone lives alone, and Judy was his canine guardian as well his friend. Wherever he went, tapping through the streets with his white stick. Judy went also, always close his heels. They were a familiar pair in the Thurnscoe district.

Constant Pal

Judy was his constant companion throughout the four years since he came to Thurnscoe. Yesterday for the first time, Mr. Kittlestone had to go cut alone. A neighbour remarked, “I have never known a man take loss so hard. He is really cut up about it.”

The dog was alleged to have bitten a man who was collecting rents in Butchcr street. People in the neighbourhood who knew the faithfulness of Judy, expressed considerable surprise that it should attack anyone.

One woman said ‘‘Judy was as good a friend to the children as to its master She often played with the kiddies, and they could pull her about almost as they liked.”

Bench’s Hope

Now Mr. Kittlestone all is looking for another dog. The chairman of the Doncaster Dench expressed the hope that he might secure another dog more suitable for his purpose.” Mr. Kitllestone’s blindness developed some years ago. For four years he was at school for the blind in Manchester, and when he came to Thurnscoe he managed to make a living by making baskets and repairing boots, but his trade has dwindled to nothing, and now he has to rely on unemployment benefit