452 
PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. 
have increased from this amount to 40 or even 45 per cent.; — a 
fact in itself of sufficient importance to put us on the alert, not only 
with regard to individual pecuniary loss, but looking at it in a 
national point of view. In the lot of sheep I have seen in this 
neighbourhood, amounting to eighty, there are at present eighteen 
dead ; but there are evident signs of the disease progressing with 
the others, and the result will, I fear, exhibit as many fatal cases 
as have already occurred elsewhere. In conclusion, I would ad- 
vise those who wish for further information on this subject to peruse 
a work lately published by Mr. J. B. Simonds, Lecturer on Cattle 
Medicine, &c. at the Royal Veterinary College, which contains an 
account of the first introduction of the disease into England, with 
many other interesting and minute particulars respecting it. 
I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, 
Thomas Wells. 
Castle Meadow, Norwich, June 29, 1848. 
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 
A BILL has been brought down from the House of Lords, enti- 
tled “ An Act for the more effectual Prevention of Cruelty to 
Animals.” It first repeals the acts 5 and 6 William IV, cap. 59, 
the 7th William IV, and the 1st Victoria, cap. 66; and proceeds 
to enact, “ That if any person shall, from and after the passing of 
this act, wantonly and cruelly beat, ill-treat, over-drive, abuse, or 
torture any animal, every such offender shall for every such offence 
forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding o£ > 5.” Clause 3 defines 
acts of cruelty as follows : “ That to use or employ any animal in 
drawing or assisting to draw any vehicle, or in carrying any 
person or any load, or in doing any work whatever, whilst such 
animal is, by reason of infirmity, disease, or injury, unfit to be so 
used or employed, or in doing any work whatever which is mani- 
festly beyond the strength of such animal, shall be deemed to be 
a wanton and cruel abuse of such animal, within the meaning of 
this act ; and if any person, being the owner of any animal, shall 
use or employ, or cause, suffer, or permit, any such animal to be 
used or employed in drawing or assisting to draw any vehicle, or 
in carrying any person or any load, or in doing any work what- 
ever, while such animal is, to the knowledge of such person, by 
reason of infirmity, disease, or injury, unfit to be so used or em- 
ployed, or any work whatever which is manifestly beyond the 
strength of such animal, every person so offending shall be deemed 
to have wantonly and cruelly abused such animal, within the 
