The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-03-30
Protection of Sheep.-Tax the Dogs.

I'VE ask especial attention to the eommu
nication below. Let some public spirited in
dividual in each county gather facts and sta
tistics, and the mass Of people will be star
tied with the result. We suggest that every
agricultural society appoint a standing COM
mit,ee on sheep-killing dogs, to report once
Year, or oftener.-ED.
To the Editor of the American Agriculturist:
notice in the current January Agricultu
rist the remark: 1--WE cannot keep sheep or
account Of the dogs" In many parts of the
country, that has been, and is supposed ia
be an inevitable evil attendant upon the de-
partment ofhusbandry. But there is rem
edy and power in the agricultural commu
nifty to protect their interests in this mosl
profitable and pleasant department Of theil
industry.
In Massachusetts, and Connecticut, laws
have been enacted, levying tax upon dogs
Of 81 each, and on every slut S.; each dog
thus taxed is registered in the Clerks Office
of the town where owned, and must also
wear a collar, with the owners name on it,
Every dog not thus taxed, registered and
colla1ed. may be killed by any one. Sher
ifs, constables are required to kill them, or
after request, are liable to pay 6ue if they
refuse.
Any one keeping or harboring an unlaw.
fal dog, is liable to fine Oslo. Dogs thus
taxed, etc., are protected from obstruction
under severe penalties. If found destroying
sheep, their lives are forfeited, and the own.
er required to pay all damages. The mon.
eys thus levied, constitute fund with which
TO pay all damages for destruction of sheep
by dogs undetected. Every State in the In
ion should have such law, and farmers must
work Cor it.
Two years ago, having learned that one
man in this county had ninety sheep killed
in one day by two dogs, and his neighbor
500 worth OF Cotswolds Il believe) at the
same time, and by the same dogs, with the
assistance Of few gentlemen, in different
towns of Southern Berkshire, l commenced
gathering facts. had reliable information
from farmers who had suffered, that in this
half Of the country, in the FIVE preceding
years, dogs had destroyed sheep TO the value
Of tco thousand fire hundred dollars. Men
were incredulous when told them this, un.
til showed them the items and Names
These were laid before full meeting of the
Housatonic Agricultural Society, and vote
passed, unanimously, requesting our Legisla
ture to pass law similar to the one now ir
force. After this the Massachusetts Stat.
Society took the matter in hand, anc, il
consequence, the first enactment was modi
fed, and made more efficient. The result
has been very satisfactory; and the law works
well.
According to ascertained facts, the farmers
of Berkshire County suffered loss of on
thousand dollars annually BY the ravages of
dogs among their sheep. Still the evil hae
existed SO long, that many thought there wa
no remedy, and some who had sheep killed
even in the sheds, only few days before m,
requesting the particulars, neglected to an
swer my letters. Farmers in the Legislature
were afraid to take hold of it at first, from
fear of impopularity, and only when inauenc
ed by strong public opinion and numerou
petitions, did they move.
All l have to say to my brother farmers
60 to work by circulating petitions to you
Legislatures; and, ifneed be, gather up fact
to show the reasonabeness of tie demar
for protection, and refer to the enactments Q
Connecticut and Massachusetts as good pree
edents. 1t may cost little time and trou
BILE, but it will pay we'll if you wish to rails
sheep. Then good flock, with good car,
will yield you good profit.
F. WHITING.
Berkshire Co., Mass, JAM. 1850.
A PUZZLED PHYSICIAN.-Dr. Ferneau Of