The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-26

the sidewalk. They were not alone, for they
never venture out upon such an expedition
without the company Of high constable OF the
city and county of Philadelphia, and four
policemen selected from the district in which
they are to operate. This strong array OF blue
coats is always found necessary as protection
from the wrath of those who are deepoied OF
their eurs. The tenacity with which dog will
adhere to the fortunes Of his master, is equalled
only by the energy with which man will do
battle for his dog. For this reason the presence
of the police is frequently far from ornamental.
RULES FOR DISCOVERING THE HAUNTs OF DOGS.
As "Professorn Price is such an old hand at
the business, and the Others have had several
years experience, no time was wasted in ar
irving at a locality where specimens Of the
canine race abounded. In the heart of the city
the dogcatcher finds but little encouragement
to his vocation. 1t is IN the by-ways and
alleys ameng the poverty-stricken and hunger
bitten that dogs of all Sizes shapes, and colors
most do congregate. II a hapless, chlldless
couple are domiclled in a single room on the
second floor of creaking tenement, they are
usually the owners of one dog. II there are two
children in the family, in addition, there will
usually be found an extra dog. If the domicile
be on the third floor instead of the second, IL is
safe to calculate on the presence OF one dog to
each member of the family. Whenever the
number of children is greater than two, and the
capacity for an honest livelihood thereby de-
creased, the number of CANNES will be found to
increase in a direct ratio. These rules are in.
fallible-so the dog.catchers say; and we have
good reason, from limited observation, for
&C nfrmiDg their accuracy.
The ohipot in falyinu suph on aorlv AZ ~ in no
morning is obvious. More unmuzzled dogs are
to be encountered between the hours of and
A. M. than during the entire remainder of the
day. 1t is at this early hour, especially, that
that nondescript yet wellknoNn beast, called
'nobody's dog" is sure to be abroad. He has
picked up a nights lodging on some friendly
doorstep, or in some forsaken ashbarrel; and
now with the first streak of dawn he sallies
forth in quest of where withal to break his fast
Woe be unto him if the dog-van happens that
way at that particular hour.
This dog-van resembles a corn.crib, cut in two
and placed lengthwise and sideways upon a
;ruck: The only thing that can be said in its
favor s that it allows of free circulation of air
for the benefit of its inmates. in all ot6er re-
spects it has much the aspect of prison-house.
TIE CAPTURE.
If the dog be ''nobody's dog" the process of
his capture is very easy one. To use vulgar
term, ne Is simply "yanked" with a ropes and
thrust headlong into the cage. Unless he Is
very intelligent dog, before he fully realizes his
situation he is crouched in a corner of the van
and engaged in contemplating his captors from
behind the bars. Then, if he be sensible dog,
he quietly awaits developments; otherwise he
thn bOf
his captors by futile efforts at escape.
Ii the dog has master, as most dogs have he
is taken captive without any more ado, unless
the master happens to be within hailing dis
tance. In such cases the dog sets up pteous
howling, and straIghtway the master and his
neighbors rush upon the scene. Then, If the
affection between man and brute be anything
more than passing one, a rescue is resolved
upon, after due consultation and comparison
OF forces. 1t is here that the High Constable
and his posse OF police come in play; and if the
dogless master exhibits any great amount of
pugnacity, he is forth with taken into custody,
conducted before an alderman, and by him held
over, in $500 bail, to answer the charge of inter
fering with the dog.catchers.
This is a specimen of the daily routine which
is repeated every day in the week except
| ing Saturday and Sunday. On these days alone
| is a dog without a muzzle safe in the streets
| No regular route is prescribed. The van pur
sues its way wherever its director imagines
there are dogs to be found A journey OF fifteen
miles is considered good days work. Or
| Tuesday morning, when the last expedition fol
the present was inaugurated, the van was
! dragged all the way from Smoky Hollow to the
Richmond coal wharves, making numerous de
viations 10 the right and lett.
DOG STATISTICS.
In this connection, it may be interesting t
glance at the statistics of the present season
They are from official sources. 1t should b
noticed that during the week on which tn
national holiday occurred, the dogs were per
mitted to roam at will, without muzzles anC
without disturbance. This respite was probabl,
to enable the dOg-catcheIs properly to celebrate
the Fourth of July.
For the week
|