The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Saturday 13 June 1936 p 11 Article
A case of alleged dog stealing ended abruptly in the Oatlands Police Court on Thursday, when the principal witness for the prosecution could not swear to his ownership of the dog produced in Court. The Bench was occupied by the Warden (Mr. W. M. Lester) and Mr. W. Rust, Js.P. Inspector W.D. Kirkham prosecuted.
Randolph Mayne pleaded not guilty to a charge of having, between October 20 and March 30, stolen a half-bred Smithfield dog, valued at £4. Belonging to Henry Robert Figg, of Baden. Accused was defended by Mr. C. Gibson.
Henry Robert Figg said, to the best of his belief, the dog was his.
Inspector Kirkham: Can you swear definitely the dog is yours?
Witness: No.
The Bench thereupon dismissed the case.
Inspector Kirkham explained to the Bench that the police had kept the dog for about 10 weeks, and had gone to a great deal of trouble on Figg's behalf. Figg had admitted the ownership of the dog to Trooper Blair.