Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 26 September 1902

Ferocious Dog at Thurnscoe.

Harry Massey, navvies foreman, living at Thurnscoe, was summoned for having kept a ferocious dog at that place on the 3rd inst.

Mr. G. W. Andrews appeared for the prosecution.

Joe Hughes, miner, living at Thurnscoe, in the same yard as the defendant, said he a saw the dog bite little boy. He called out to the dog and it came away towards him. There was blood upon the child’s wrist. He told the defendant about the matter.

The witness was asked what defendant said. “He practically told me I was one o’ them, t’ other sort;’ the reply, which cause some amusement.

In cross examination, the witness said he had been afraid of dog, to that he could not use the back door of his house, but had had to go out at the front.

Jos. Haywood, who also lives in the same yard, said the dog bit him on the 20th June, and he told the defendant about it a fortnight afterwards

Mr. Andrews. What sort of a dog is it?

The witness: I should think it have a bit of bull in it.

Mary Massey, the defendant, said Haywood had never complained to him about the dog.

Alfred Dutton said be saw the boy stroking the dog, and afterwards saw a scratch on the boy’s wrist, which did not bleed.

The defendant was ordered to pay 5s. and 6/6 costs.