American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-12-06

"FACTs are stubborn things" and to
give some idea of the number of both
monsrel, puppy and hound, and ours of
low degree" with which we are sur
rounded, let us cite the following statis-
tics: Ten wears ago, Massachusetts had
100000 dogs 1.-THE little State of Rhode
Island has had 6S45 recorded upon tax
list, and an official count in Ohio, in
1868, showed 1S3,167, while a single
county (Cayuga), in New York numbered
1000 dogs for population of $4,000.
At the head of the list of evils to be
apprehended from this indiscriminate
multiplication is that terrible disease, ny
drophobia-a malady of which an emf
nent physician says: mo specific method
of 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 perpetuated and propagated solely by
the dog, for, although other animals are
subject to rabies, hydrophobia has its
igin in the virus of canine saliva.
Another important question in connec
ton with dogs is their tendency TO dis
courage sheep husbandry. The dog, like
his progenitor, the wolf, is the natural
enemy of sheep, and is even more des
structive, for the ferocity of the
wild beast is united with the cunning Of
the tanned. The damage to the
wool crop throughout the country from
canine causes is incalculabie. From the
Maine Board of Agriculture we learn :
THE assumption has been unimpeacha-
bly, 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 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 returns which this soci-
ETY. have received unanimously ascribe as
a reason why no more are kept, the inju-
ries inflicted by dogs" An estimate of
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 SO seriously affects our agricultural
interests, as well rs 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
inconsiderable. Last, but not least, is the
annoyance to which persons are constant
ly 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 dd tbttum, is "A
violation of sanitary laws, an interference
with the interests of a large portion of
the community, and is opposed to the per
sonal comfort of many. 1t 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
well as such sports as bear batting and
dog-fghting. The wolf dog, poodle and
coach dog are among the most useless of
the dog family, and the latter are mere
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, ton, 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
tn be arrested, and legislative relief miti-
gate these social evis,--TulJ, Field and
Far,n.