The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-03-29
The Taxation Of Dogs.

Among the laws published in our paper
to-day, will be found the recent act OF the
Legislature for iax.ng dogs.
The increased value OF the sheep in the
State, and the great augmentation OF their
numbers, have led the sheep owners to feel
heavily their losses arising from destruction
by dogs, and TO seek for legal preventive.
Each House had law before Il. and there
was no serious opposition made in either
House TO the principle or practice of taxing
dogs. The main interest seemed TO be 20
make the law eilectual During the discus
sion in the Senate, Mr.. Hubbard said he
had, in his early life, been compelled TO form
some peculiar antipathles against DOGS. and
rs IAr IA ne was cOncerncu, Inc auiiiif,s..,iUii
It The entire race would bcttcr moot hia
views; that they were a burden of expense,
consuming the food that should bee given TO
starving poor; that they are the destroyers
OF the best species Of animal creation. Cthe
sheep and skulk into their neighbors' back
kitchens or cellars. and luz away enough
to provide a good meal for common fam
iy He hoped the bill would pass and the
worthless be wiped ont.
Mr.. Childs said he hoped the hill would
pass. He thought the interest OF our sheep
demanded il. They are not safe a single
night while SO many hungry and ferocious
ours are proving about. lie referred 20 a
case not far from where be- resided. OF a
young lady dying in all the agony and dis
tress Of hydrophObia. caused 10y the bite OF
mad dog. He preferred the Senate bin
20 the House bill. because it was nearer
perfect. and more in accordance with the
wishes OF the inhabitants Of the townships
This will collect a large revenue in our
townships Of one. two. or three hundred
dollars, 10 be appropriated TO the school
fund, and thereby prove a benefit 10 Tie ed
ucatiOnal interests Of the youth.
Mr.. Crawford said Massachusetts, had
7S,226 sheep in lsl0; IS5 C5Iin 1850. 49,
2l5 in 1855, and rs. Ill in 1850: and about
1000, goo dogs. The wool crop deprecated
nearly half a million dollars in ten years
a tax Of fry cents per annum upon each
dog in the State, paid by wool growers.
What you may ask, has brought this about.
The State agricultural society gives The KEY
10 this depreciation. The returns which
this society have received. unanimously AS
cribe as a reasoa why no Eore are kept the
injuries inflicted by dogs. In 1850 the doc
law realized $50, s94 upon 50, 7o7 dogs IL
censed. while a. many more were killed m
avoid he tax, and an equal number escapal
by the connivance Of negligent OF doe--,n-
pathizing officers. In lS6l, there were ba,
1906 licensed. The dogs are now reduced
one-half and The sheep. in consequence.
have doubled In Ohio. during. during i've
years ending in lS62, there was record OF
ZOS' S24 sheep killed by dogs, aud l2S. lis
injured, invoking a loss Of S55S. 59s. ol
Slll,54s per year, when the average pre-,
OF sheep was scarcely two dollars per head.
Intwenty-twO counties in Ohio. there was
a decrease Of more than 800. coo sheen in
consequence Of the ravages ofdogs. between
the years 1916 and ls56. Over 1000 OOC
sheep have been killed by dogs 10 the Uni
ted state in five years, depriving our mann
laetunng industry OF 5000, 600 los. Of wool
III Ihe midst Of this great rebellion. wher
We nave large army to clothe. there sprjn0,
up a demand for more wool aud i, -