Posted with permission of the transcriber, Ann Selchick. Geo. THE WEST CUMBERLAND NEWS, Nov. 21, 1931 DEALDY HEN-RUN MARAUDER Mystery Massacre at Maryport. ______ Sixteen pullets belonging to Mr. KENDALL, Grasslot Street, Grasslot, Maryport, were killed overnight by a marauder the identity of which is not definitely known. The pullets, which were of a good Wyandotte laying strain, were housed in a new hen cote and enclosure in Grasslot pit-yard, the efforts of much months of labour and considerable capital expenditure. Mr. Joseph KENDALL lost his work when St. Helen's Colliery closed some time ago, and his son, assisted by his father and mother, began the poultry enterprise. Twenty-five pullets were reared from six hatchlings, to be practically wiped out in one deadly visit just at a time when they were almost ready to begin laying, and when the demand for eggs is best. The way in which the heads of the pullets were bitten excludes the possibility of a weasel, ferret or stoat having done the work; and opinion varies between a particularly daring fox, and a vicious hen killing dog; with the bulk of opinion of those who understand how the various animals attack hens favoring the latter theory. _________________