there was a conspiracy against him.

Ronald Paynter, 29, of Parsons Road, said the Police, the Government Veterinarian, the Dog Control Officer and the main prosecution witness had conspired to charge him with cruelty to his puppy.

And the case was again adjourned as Paynter asked for the veterinarian, Dr.

Neil Burnie and Dog Control Officer, Mr. Leonard (Shinah) Simons to be called to give evidence.

The case had previously been adjourned in order that Paynter could call five witnesses to support his denial of the charge that he dropped his puppy, Zebra, injuring the animal in January of last year.

Witness Sarah Cook said she saw the incident and offered to buy the dog to prevent it being hurt again.

But Paynter told the court that he believed Cook had brought the case against him because she wanted the dog herself.

Only one of his witnesses turned up yesterday, Ronald Michael Lindsay, a laundry worker at King Edward Memorial Hospital who lives at the night shelter on Parsons Road.

Lindsay said he was with Paynter when the incident is said to have occurred near to Fagan's Alley in Hamilton.

He told the court: "The girl just came up and offered five dollars for the dog to Mr. Paynter. He said it was his dog, he liked it and he did not want to sell it.

"I went into the grocery shop to buy some dog food for Mr. Paynter. When I returned the lady was hysterical so I left the scene.'' Under cross examination by prosecutor Sgt. Peter Giles, Lindsay told the court that he believed the girl was very upset because she could not buy the dog.

Sgt. Giles asked Lindsay if he was an alcoholic, and Lindsay nodded. Sgt.

Giles said: "You did not hear her say that she had to buy the dog because it was being badly treated because you had been drinking that morning.'' Lindsay again agreed.

Magistrate the Wor. John Judge told Paynter that he had been given plenty of opportunities to get his witnesses in court.

Paynter said he believed the vet and the dog control officer should have been called for the prosecution because they would have important evidence in the case.

The case was adjourned until March 5.