The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-07-11
The Dog War in New YOrk..GloriOus
y Times for had Row sf Al


The Dog Pound in New York. is an insti-
tuition that opens with the dog days. 4 re-
ward Of fifty cents per dog is paid at the
pound-that is, checks on the city treasury
for the same are drawn The New York
Times rives q history Of the Dog Pound op-
erations, from which we quote few graphic
paragraphs:
When our summer pleasures begin-when
we ietreat to the country, intent upon cool
pastures and pulling brooks, then commences
the dogs misery. The Mayor opens the
Dog Pound. Smart, shoeless urchins are
abroad before daylight in search of unmuz-
zled dogs. They well know the trick Of en-
ticng dogs from their owners houses. They
can even slip muzzle, and capture the ami
NAL, whose requirements were strictly accord
ing to law. For each dog taken to the
Pound, the urchin is richer bv ffty cents.
Last year, a man named Sullivan, dwelling
in the part OF the city, purchased dogs at 25
cents each from the boys, rnd when he had
one hundred collected, he would take them in
cart to the dog pound, and obtain so cents
for each of them. He was the greatest enc
my the dogs had, for he had always from 80
to so boys in his service, hunting after them.
mad dog bit Sullivan and he died of HYDRO
phobia e '.'''." '
The dog pound is now open, and receiving
nigh hundred dogs day 1t is situated at
the corner OF First avenue and Thirty First
street and is worth visit. If stranger
asks the nearest urchin what that may mean,
fenced in by row of planks fifteen feet high,
he may be answered that dogs are tanned
alive there to make their skins water proof.
Listening to the gamut of the Indignant dogs,
he will almost credit the same urchin.
But let him investigate that fence. and he
will find there door, and let him examine
that door, and he will see "Dog Pound" in
scribed on it, and let him knock, and MIR.
Sampson, the doorkeeper, very polite NUM-
cipal Policeman, detailed by the Mayor. win
open and admit him. He will find an enclo-
sure about 100 feet long, and 20 wide, fitted
up with stalls, in which from Is to 20 dogs,
Of all breeds, qualities, sizes and conditions,
are confined, Tray, Blanche and Sweetheart.
little dogs, and ALL" Many of these animals
are very valuable, and these are generally
kept for two or three days, to allow their
owners time to come and claim them. Other
dogs are only kept till sundown when, if not
drowned Unfortunately, in tank prepared
for the purpose, and their bodies removed in
cart to the foot of Forty-fifth street. East
river, whence they are taken to Barren Island.
The scenes at dog-pound are not without
interest. A carriage will drive up, from
which well known millionaire will alight,
in state of excitement. He rushes into the
pound and examines the dogs. He has mis-
sed a valuable dog, and would redeem him,
if brought to the pound, at any cost. The
dog is not there. He may come in bye and
bye. If so, Mr.. Sampson will restore him
with pleasure. Mr. Sampson knows bis bu-
siness and feels his position. How blandly
he addresses the old lady whose pet lap dog
disappeared in the morning so mysteriously.
He is sorry to drown lap dogs, but he has
to do it. 1t is bitter du ty, bnt it is duty.
The old lady is sure he wouldn't drown her
dog. Not if ne knows it, he wouldn't. for
he is aware of what is due to lady. Old
lady looks at the five score OF canine victims
and sheds commiserative tears MIR. Samp-
son looks as if he could shed tears, too,
(thOugh he doesn't feel bit like doing it'll
and wishes the old lady's pet would be brOu'ht
in before she goes and while she has that
porte monnaie in her hadd. But pet is not
brought in, and the old lady departs. 1t is
now shutdown and the drowning tank is got
ready. 1t is about 20 feet square, and into
it as many dogs as it will hold are tightly
packed. Then the cover is shut down and
the water is turned on. There is confusion
of bowls, gulping bubblng choking sound,
or conglommeratiOn of sounds, and when
the water is drawn off there are fifty dog
cOrpseS.