Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-08
4ofal ann Ysrsonal.
Legislation concerning /. the Dog Kind. -

Legislation concerning s. the Dog kind"-
When there is any SHOOTING 10 be done for the
benefit of she COMMUNICATIVE Of foreign foes
Of domestic dogs-it is better TO give the direc
ton Of such movements TO military men; or, al
all events, that duly commissioned officers should
suggest the ways and means for the consumma
ton Of such tragedies
Captain ], l.. Smith, Of the Continental Guards
a member of the common council, offered, in
appropriating some hundred dollars, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, out of the general
fund, TO be placed at the disposal of the mayor for
furnishing POWDER and BALL TO the police officers
to enable them to carry. out the provisions Of the
proclamation of the late mayor relative TO the
animals of the dog kind"
DIR. Busey did not consider the matter of such
pressing importance that il should be acted upon
AZ this time; but
Captain Smith differed from the doctor, saying
il the subject was Of sufficient importance for the
proclamation of the mayor, II was Of sufficient i'm
portancc for the councils TO act upon instanter
There has, he remarked, been a failure to carry
out the law, the police officers not being disposed
to buy powder and ball out of their own pockets
Hence offer the resolution to buy the ammu.
milton. n fG
DR.. Davis, the president of the board, said,
there seems to be universal horror TO this mode
of destroying the canine race. would, therefore,
suggest an amendment, leaving it optional with
the mayor to select some other means tor carry
ing out the proclamation. l repeat, there is a
universal horror of shooting. II is dangerous, in
human and revolving, to the feelings OF the pres
ent day. The better plan is that suggested by the
chief Of police. II is to prepare strychnine suas-
ages, which are TO be distributed, not at random
and ndiferently, but cautiousy-one to be thrown
down when dog is near. If the animal shall
fail to eat Of it, the sausage is TO be picked up
and reserved for another customer. Ia case the
animal partakes Of it, he is to be watched until
death ensues.
DR.. Busey did not agree with his brother doctor,
saying, / hope the gentleman from the Seventh
ward Captain Smith) will not accept of the
amendment. / am opposed to poisoning. II is
more dangerous than shooting. A dog may eat
OF the sausage, and then lick child. If a par
ticle of strychnine should be communicated TO
the human being, it would produce instantaneous
death. know that system prevails in other
cities, but il Is dangerous. There is some horror
in shooting dogs it is true, but the police officers
should be cautious to see that nobody Is within
range of their guns.
Mr.. Duncanson. I would suggest to the gen.
tleman from the Seventh ward that he omit from
his resolution the destructive articles to be used,
merely appropriating the money for the purpose
indicated.
Captain Smith. The only difficulty is the sug-
gestion of the gentleman from the Fifth ward,
(Dr. Busey) / am no medical man, and have no
practical knowledge of the effects of strychnine.
still adhere to the powder and ball. AS mill
tary man, this was to be expected 1t may APP
pear TO others small matter, but to me il is a
serious one, and calls for immediate action. Hy-
drophoba is prevalent in other cities, and we may
soon have it here. A voice: !" There have been
several cases of il already."1
Mr.. ]. T. Walker, (ofthe Third ward) would
suggest that the police officers be paid for killing
the dogs, it being dirty business. We are fright
ened by day, and are unable 10 sleep at night by
the bowling dogs. The city is alive with them.
Shot ought TO be used instead OF ball They ought
to be killed, and that speedily. They are the
greatest nuisance in Washington. | am willing
to allow dollar for every dog which shall be
killed
Mr.. Bamberger (of the Seventh ward put in a
few words, sideways, saying that il is the duty OF
the police officers, who are salaried, TO kali the
dogs without additional compensation.
Mr.. Henshaw, (of the Fourth ward9 under
stand il is the duty of the scavenger to bury every
dead dog, for which he is allowed one dollar.
police officer for killing and burying dog. That
would be an incentive TO action.
Capt. Smith. Do you think the police officers
have sunk so low as TO be dog-undertakers and
sections? The scavenger is compelled TO bury
every dead animal.
There is no occasion for the amendment OF my
colleague, (Mr. Walker) Burying dogs at a dollar
a piece is a profitable business.
Capt. Smith. Would you bury dog for a
dollarl
Mr.. Davis. Plenty will do il for fifty cents
Mr.. Duncanson. When dogs and hogs are men
toned, it sets us all agog. think the law says
"kill instead Of" shoot" il is for the mayor 10
direct The police officers to perform the duty. i
insist my proposition TO strike out "powder
and ball.
DR.. Busey referred TO the laws on the subject OF
dogs, and said: 81 know the mayor prefers poi
soning, but would not give him that discretion"
Capt. Smith. The deeper get into this matter,
the more important II appears 10 me. There Is no
other means introduced for the destruction Of the
dogs than the onepfeposed by the resolution We
have had sufficient evidence Of the dangerous eff
fects of poison think the police have sufficient
discretion TO use powder and ball. Ia voice "a
stout club would do as well."l
The resolution was amended by striking out
powder and ball - and passed, while not few
dogs we're sporting and barking outside.
This was the browning act Of the days proceed
ings Of the hoard Of common council.
Bread and Whiskey.-Some time ago we
alluded 10 the unwholesome and poor quality of
baked dough, called BREAD, which is supplied to
our citizens, in small, hard Jumps, nj large prices
and are now pleased TO state that in the Board Of
Common Council, on Thursday, bill was intro
duced to regulate the quality and weight Of bread
In view Of the public health il is absolutely ncces
sary that bakers generally shall make use Of good
-four, unadulterated with foreign substances; and
il is important that purchasers shall know how
,ok of kr~a k,,r, he frtn n