The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-11-01
Abont Dogs.

ssFacts are stubborn things" and to give
some idea of the number of ssb0th mongrel,
puppy, andhound, and ours of low degree
with which we are surrounded, let US cite
the following statistics: Ten years ago
Massachusetts had 100000 dogs; the little
State of Rhode Island has had c, ,S45 record
ed upon tax list, and an official count in
Ohio in 1863 showed 1873, ,167, while single
county (Cayuga) in New York, numbered
$4,000 dogs for a population of $1,000.
At the head of the list of evils to be ap-
pretended from this indiscriminate multi
plication is that terrible disease hydropho-
bia-a malady of which an eminent ply
sician says: mo specific method of treat
ment has been shown to have the slightest
influence in checking or modifying this
disease, from which, in all probability, no
one ever recovered 1t is perpetuated
and propagated solely by the dog. for al
though other animals are subject to rabies,
hydrophobia has its origin in the virus of
canine saliva.
Another important question in connec-
tion with dogs is their tendency to dis
courage sheep husbandry. The dog, like
his progenitor, the Wof, is the natural
enemy of sheep, and is even more destruc-
tive, for the ferocity of the wild beast is
united with the cunning Of thetamed. The
damage to the wool crop throughout the
country from canine causes is incaleulable.
From the Maine Board of Agriculture we
learn "The assumption has been unim-
peachably established beyond denial by the
farmers of the State, that the losses from
wild animals, disease, and accidents, are
not equivalent to the losses from the de-
predations of dogs. Facts and figures,
multiplied to an almost unlimited extent,
testify to the truth of the assertion. =
The Massachusetts, Agricultural Society
reports that 6 the returns which this Soei-
ETY. have received unanimously aseribe as
a reason why no more are kept, the inju-
ries inflicted by dogs" An estimate of
State. in 1862, by the Secretary of the
State Agricultural Society, amounts to
$4,000. Certainly some remedy is needed
for an evil which SO seriously affects our
agricultural interests, as well as woolen
But other complaints
arise against the depredations Of prowling
ours In the barnyards and gardens, where
the loss of fowls, eggs, and injuries to cat
tie are not inconsiderable. Last, but not
least, is the annoyance to which persons
are constantly subjected from the intru-
sions and trespasses of these faithful
friends of man,
Some remedial measures ought to be en-
forced against dog nuisances. Our present
system which permits whelps to run at
large, and increase nd Eibitun, is viola
ton of sanitary laws, an interference with
the interests of a large portion OF the COM
munity, and is opposed to the personal
comforts of many. 1t tends, moreover, 10
deteriorate the breed of valuable dogs, for
where mongrels are so abundant, it is all
most impossible to prevent their access to
the good ones.
The days of the Mount st. Bernard, the
turnspit, and bloodhound, are past, as well
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 fre-
quently attacked with rabies. But the set
ter, spaniel, hound and pointer are of
practical use as valuable auxiliary to the
sportsman, and ought to be encouraged.
Like every other luxury, however, they
should be taxed. Their owners should be
liable, too, for all damages to the life, per-
son, or property of Others. As for the
myriads of others that roam through the
country, their increase ought to be arrest
ed, and Legislative relief mitigate these so
eial evils.-TuTf, Field and Farm.