CATS AND TEL 'LAW: • me ma Etrroa or Yam
"srserirba.41 - SiB,-=To allay- the natural perturbation of those Of: your readers who• do not share your affection for cats; may I say that the decision of the Sheriff of Rarailton, which: has won the approval of the Spectator,- whatever kitty. be ifs authority in its country-of origin, appears-tO be open ,t6 some criticism from the point of view Of -English law: The cironmstanee on which the learned Sheriff- seems to rely infavour of-the defendant would strike- an English laWyer as concluSively establishing the plaintiff's case. The only ground on which, in this country the owner of such a mischievous beatt escape liability for its depredations would 11'e-that' not. proved that its propensities vietii-kiiain. to him. Hence, in some cases, the dog's privilege of first bite, dogs being rightly. presumed to be respectable. But if, as the Sheiiff admirable truth in his premises,'the evil life of this and all other`eats is notorious, ex hypothesi the fact must be patent to the owner and harbourer of 'the habitual criMinal. In these circumstances judgment for the plaintiff seems the only, logical conclusion. I venture to think that you yourself' on reflection will withdraw your approbation Of -the ,Slieriff'S decision, for an inadequate law' is- the Wet naval' cause of those outbreaks of lynching which Were have so .rightly, deprecated in another connexion.- Were I a cat, after the Sheriff's judgment, I should certainly fear -flat-some act--±5f -wild justice was likeTy to overtake nie-ffithe fluttered dove- cebes of Hamilton:-,--1: am, Sir, &e., - ' Sri/
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