New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-20
THE DOG ORDINANCE.

i SAsS 1890
We regret that the ordinance introduced
in the Council, by Mr.. Pierce, for the proper
correction Of the dog nuisance, (which haf
prevailed SO long hereabouts, has not ye'
been adopted. As is the case with almost
every movement for the public good among
us, this ordinance has elected some hostile
| comment. It has been characteristic OF
our city that in matters Of really serious
importance to the people, there is gen.
! orally great apathy, while on subjects
involving the rights, or rather the wishes
Of few, these few succeed in making q
plenty of sympathetic clamor. Some
months ago there was published che
mical analysis of the milk furnished the
community. 1t showed terrible adultera-
tion-in some instances sixty per cent of
this most important household commo-
dity, yet the public indignation against
the dangerous compound of "swill milk
lasted hardly twenty-four hours. The
people are gouged almost beyond en-
durauce by the prices in the markets,
with poor meats at thirty cents pound,
three or four sweet potatoes for dime, aud
other things in proportion, yet only once
in a long time do we hear sort of spas
modic, wearied groan from the patient
populace. There is one notable excep-
ton. There used to be few goats, the
property of divers poor families in the
outskirts Of the city, roaming about in
search of something to browse upon.
Indignation enough was aroused to cause
the enactment of sundry heavy ordinances
against goats, and their wanderings about
town were ended. Now, goats may be of
some use, and they have often been q
source of nourishnent or of profit to the
families of their owners. But the
wrath against the goats is moth
ing in comparison with the woald-
be intense Indignation against a
proposed law to relieve US forever of
perpetual crowd of dogs, the nine-tenths
of which are worse than useless. For
months past it has been almost daily
record of the trouble caused by these worth
less animals. The last mortuary report tells
US of two deaths by the most distressing
Of all disaases-hydrophobia-a yet the
probable passage of salutary law in the
matter causes sundry interested parties to
howl, growl, snap, snarl and whine, lest
heir lovely bull pups or charming stare
'iers" should be curtai,ed OF their
liberties.
There has been enough of this nom
enee. No child can now go along the
treets to school or elsewhere free of dan
yer from rabid dogs, and no one is safe
rem their attacks. The fact is, that one
'recious human life is of more conse-
.uence than all of the dogs this side OF
Jason & Dixon7s line, end the friends Of
one victim to their attacks have more to |
ay in the matter than the whole tribe of |
og fanciers ard dog breeders. The re-
reshing coolness OF these latter gentry |
'hen some unfortunate biped has been |
itten by one Of their pets is about the |
anne as that manifested by the amiable |
sdy who, when visitor was mulcted of a
iece of his leg By a favorite '.purp,'
ompassionatang the lively animal, ex-
laimed, "Poor, dear thing! I hope it
ont make him sick!" Most every per-
On entering the premises of an acqueint-
nee has had occasion to remark the eesy
'nguor with which the complacent pro.
rIetor OF some canine Cerberus, indus
iously trying to get at the intrusive
sitor, cries ou.., ''Oh, he weg't bite!v
here is some grumbling about the petty
K Of five dollars, but if deg is really
sluable be is worth paying for to that
tent. People lave been taxed for many
ars to pay for "sausages" used to dimin.
the dog population, and they now
ink that the dog owners should them
Ives pay for their luxury. Let the
'uncil pass the ordinance, and stand net I
the order Of their passing it. If Mr.. I
cree, who is an amiable man, cen devise
better use fo- the money from the tax, Z
it be assigned to General West, who '
good deal of GOODNESS about him. to G
'ct throughout the city sunday cooling U
'ntains, SO that thirsty citizens can a
snch their thirst without having to I
ronize g. coffee house or a cabaret. b
Mr.. Pierce thus take care of the chill
n, and General West of tired wav. t.
ara