191 1.] Protection of Animals Act, 191 i. 763 



the stage which results in the production of the black bodies 

 or sclerotia. 



Eradication of this pest turns entirely on preventive 

 methods. Keeping grass cut to prevent flowering for two 

 seasons practically eradicates the fungus. Special attention 

 should be paid to wild grasses growing in ditches, hedges, 

 headlands, &c. A goat kept with stock is of service, and has 

 alone in some instances prevented injury to stock, as goats 

 eat ergot without anything but satisfactory results. 



The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries are desirous of 

 drawing the attention of agriculturists to certain provisions 

 of the Protection of Animals Act, 191 1 



to England and Wales, and, with certain modifications, to 

 Ireland, but does not apply to Scotland. It takes effect from 

 January 1st, 1912. 



Among the offences of cruelty constituted by the Act, 

 which involve severe penalties on conviction are (1) causing 

 unnecessary suffering to an animal by wantonly or unreason- 

 ably doing or omitting to do any act ; (2) conveying or carry- 

 ing an animal in such manner or position as to cause it 

 unnecessary suffering; (3) wilfully and without reasonable 

 cause or excuse administering to an animal any poisonous 

 or injurious drug or substance ; and (4) operating on an 

 animal without due care and humanity. 



Penalties may also be inflicted on persons who cause or 

 procure any such acts or omissions, and on the owners of 

 animals if they fail to exercise reasonable care and super- 

 vision in respect of the protection of the animals therefrom. 



The section which deals with these matters does not apply 

 to:— 



(a) The commission or omission of any act in the course 

 of the destruction, or the preparation for destruction, of any 

 animal as food for mankind, unless such destruction or such 

 preparation was accompanied by the infliction of unnecessary 

 suffering; or 



(b) The coursing or hunting of any captive animal, unless 



Protection of 

 Animals Act, 

 1911. 



(1 and 2 Geo. 5, ch. 27), which con- 

 solidates the existing law with con- 

 siderable amendments. The Act applies 



