Southeastern Gazette, 11 January 1853.

Alleged Cruelty to a Horse.

The secretary of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has caused Mr. Benjamin Rowland, Frederick Townsend, and Charles Gamble, of Erith, to be summoned before the county magistrates at Dartford, on a charge arising out of the following circumstances. On Thursday before Christmas-day, a bay cob, the property of Mr. Deane, "Crown Hotel," Erith, was sent to Mr. Rowland, brewer, on trial, with a view to sale. On Friday, the animal was set to work the machine used for raising water, but, refusing to go round, it was beaten very savagely, and subsequently a quantity of straw was placed under its belly and ignited, thus burning it in a shocking manner. A rope was afterwards fastened round its neck, and, being drawn out of the shed, it was turned into a field, where it remained without any protection from the weather or attention to its wounds, until Sunday, the 26th, when it was returned to Mr. Deane, in a most pitiable condition from the treatment it had received.

The case was heard on Saturday last, before Sir P. H. Dyke, Bart., and James Malcolm and Oswald Smith Esqrs. The alleged facts were fully substantiated, and indeed were admitted by Mr. E. Rowland, sen., father of one of the accused, in a letter of which the following is a copy: "No circumstances, such as those that occurred to your horse, have given me more pain for many years. As a matter of money consideration I take the entire responsibility, but the far higher consideration of unnecessary cruelty to dumb animals must take its course. I would not screen or paliatate any brute that could be guilty of the treatment I find the horse has received.

"I am, dear Sir, yours very truly,

"E. Rowland."

The magistrates, after hearing the evidence, told the prisoners that they had been proved guilty of most atrosious conduct towards a helpless animal. That conduct had filled the Bench with such deep disgust that they could not express it by words. But, to mark the sense they entertained of it, they should sentence each of the culprits to six weeks’ imprisonment with hard labour in the house of correction. Mr. Binns gave notice of appeal on behalf of Howland, when Sir P. H. Dyke remarked that the appeal against the decision to the general quarter sessions at Maidstone would be attended with much expense, and, before they allowed it, Rowland should enter into his own recognizances of £150, and find two sureties, with due notice, each in a sum of £75, for his appearance at Maidstone on the appeal-day. Mr. Binns said the sureties should be found. The other two offenders were then committed to the house of correction.

From the Kentish Gazette, 5 May 1857.

DEATH.

Mitton:- April 25, at Erith, Mrs. Elizabeth Mitton, late of the "Crown Inn," aged 87 years.