The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-12-25
Atv~t Dogs.

FACTS HIS StuUUOIu 0nU w
give some idea of the number Of both
mongrel, puppy and hound, and ours Of
tics: Ten years ago, Massachusetts had
Island has had 6,S45 recorded upon tax
list. and an official count in Ohio, in
1858, showed 1S3,187, while a single
county (Cayuga), in New York numbered
Is. OOC 6Hss for population of 5000.
At the head Of The list of evils to be
apprehended from this iutiscrimiAate
multiplication is that terrible disease, n.y.
drophobia-a malady of which an etai:
nent physician SAYS: mo specific method
IF treatment has been shown to have the
slightest influence in checking or modi-
flying this disease, from which, in all
probability, no one ever recovered" 1t
is pettstaased and ptopagated solely by
the dog, for, s!:tSsgh other animals are
subject to rabies, hydfSphObia has its
origin in the virus of canine saliva.
Anhrher important question in connec-
ton with dogs IS their tendency. 10 dis
courage sheep husbandfy, The dog, like
his progenitor, the wolf, is TIE natural
enemy of sheep, and is even more des-
structive, for the ferocity of the
wild beast is united with the cunning IF
the tanned. The damage to the
wool crop throughout the country from
caniiie causes ia fnealculable. From the
Maine Board of Agriculture We learn {:
1.-THE assumption has been 1nimpeacha-
bly, est1tgished beyond denial by the
farmers of the stste that the losses from
wild animals, disease AID accidents are
not equivalent to the losses from tho dep
relations of dogs. Facts and figures,
multiplied to an almost unlimited extent.
testify to the truth of the assertion"
The Massachusetts Agricultural Society
reports that 1.-THE rettifffs which this sOci-
ETY. have received unanimously ascribe 90
a reason why no more are kept, the iDju.
ries inflicted by dogs" An estimate Sf
the loss OF sheep from this cause in our
State in 1862, by the Secretary of the State
Agricultural Society, amounts to $4,000.
Certainly some remedy is needed for an evil
which 80 seriously affects our agricultural
interests, as we'll as wooden manufactures
But other complaints arise against the
depredations of prowling ours in the barn
yards and gardens, where the loss OF
fowls, eggs and injuries to cattle are not
inconsiderab]e. Last, but not least, is the
annoyance to which persons ate constant.
~ subjected from the intrusions and
trespasses of these faithful friends of
man."
Some remedial measures ought to be
enforced against dog nuisances. Our
present system, which permits whelps to
run at large, and increase ad s6ituns, is
violation of sanitary laws, an interference
with the interests of large portion of
the community, and is opposed to the per-
sonal comfort of many. It tends, more
over to deteriorate the breed of valuable
dogs.
The days of the Mount st. Bernard, the
turn-spit and bloodhound, are past, as
we'll as such sports as bear.baiting and
dog-fighting. The wolf dog, poodle and
coach dog are among the most useless of
the dog family, and the latter are more
frequently attacked with rabies. But the
stetter, spaniel, hound and pointer are of
practical use as valuable auxiliary to
the sportsman and ought to be encourag-
ed. Like every other luxury, however,
they should be taxed. Their owners
should be liable, too, for all damages to
the life, person or property Of others. As
for the myriads of others that roam
through the country, their increase ought
to be arrested, and legislative relief miti.
gate these social evils.-1Wg5, Field and
Farm.