QSR1847/3/5/17

Depositions and examination - Samuel Pettit of Tilbrook, aged 12 1/2 years, charged with maiming cattle

11 May 1847

From: 1847 To: 1847

James Hollis of Tilbrook, farmer – on Monday 3 May he had a valuable horse stabbed with a knife by Samuel Pettit whilst he was driving plough. The wound is just behind the brisket and is 3 or 4 inches deep. He saw the farrier probe the wound and it is very doubtful at present whether the wound will not be fatal to the horse. Joseph Harbert of Tilbrook, servant to Mr James Hollis – on Monday he was ploughing and Samuel Pettit was driving. They had 4 horses double. About 12pm he saw some fresh wet blood on Pettit’s trousers. He asked where the blood came from and stopped the horses. He looked round the horses and saw blood running from a wound just behind the brisket in a sorrel horse. Pettit said he had done it with the whip. He asked Pettit to let him see his knife. The knife (now produced) was covered with wet blood. He told Pettit he would tell his master. As soon as they got home Pettit ran away and was away from home for 3 days. No one else was in the field with them. He saw the farrier put his prove into the wound about 4 inches. Samuel Pettit – has nothing to say.

item

Pettit, Samuel,
Hollis, James,
Harbert, Joseph

TILBROOK, horses, animal cruelty, farmer, farm labourer, farrier