, 1874-06-21

Henry Bergh, the President of the Society TO,
the Prevention OF Cruelty to Animals in Men
York City, is proving himself hero in his de-
Tense OF the brute creation in general and OF
dogs in particular. For some time past he has
reasoned with the keeper OF the dog-pound
| against the cruelty praoticed upon the dogs
brought there; but, his suggestions not having
been needed, lie has now notified him that. it
these scenes are repeated, he will prosecute
him under the statute which declares it a
nisdemeanor punishable by fine of $3.50 and
! one year imprisonment in the Penitentiary for
any person ito torture. torment deprive of
necessary sustenance or needlessly mutilate or
kill any living creature" Not satisfied With this
Alr. Bergh also brought the matter before Re-
corder Hackett, who, to bis credit be it said.
came to the help Of Mr. Bergh, sent for bis
Grand Jury, and charged them as follows:
Within few weeks against the remonstrance Of the
Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals md
against the expressed wishes Of the Board OF Health
backsd by the unanimous Of the medical faculty.
the Common Council, aiming to guard against HYDRO
phobia has authorized raid upon dogs found in the
streets unrnuzzed. unable to find tu the charter
or the aws any provision giving them such powers Of
ordinance But be that 1t may certain othe. per-
who clearly act without any authority Of existing
Law, and in spirit rather belonging to an aga when
women we're burned and drowned for wttchcraft thau
to the present one have assumed the right and power
to Rn 1arge numbers Of dogs By probleu1atical and
precarous suaocation, the reports Whereof as they
reach me, ind accompanied By details Of careless and
tnhuman Treatment, seem to indicate violation Of the
State statutes respecting needless cruelty to animals
besides appearing to establish = public nuisance I
therefore invite your attention the subject and COM
NIT It TO your charge.
The charge Of Recorder Hackett is noble
word spoken in the interests Of humanity. The
New York HeraM, which has more than once
ridiculed 3fr. Bergh, now comes to his assist
ance, and says:
dog Is aa much the property Of citizen a. his hat
Or bis overcoa and as much entitled to the protection
Of the law. Even II seize upon 1t and keep it in
custody may claim to do matter Of munich
pal precautton, BY what authority do we destroy t7
What right have we to offer Immunity to svery thief
Who chooses to enter CUE houses and carry away our
iog-not only immunity, but reward for the crime
Is it st all consistent with good morals or with honest
government to throw these te1rible temptations in
he way Of hundreds OF young FOLKS, who will gl.dly
'ndd.h steal dogs during this warm weather, and,
R1nter to other articles Of property
With the courts, the press, and slr. Bergh to
ook after his interests, the New York dog is
comparatively safe. II any animal has earned
onsiderata treatment by courage, fidelity, and
nection. it is the dog. The one taint OF HYDRO
hobla which rests upon him has been greatly
It ID still matter Of grave doubt
mong eminent medical authorities whether
here is such disease or not but, even grant I
ng that there is, why should every upmuzzled
anime be exterminated because there is possi-
llity that one dog in thousand NAV
II mad7 What guarantee against hydrophobia !,
0es such wholesale slaughter afford? The Ro~ +
rider Of New York and Mr. Bergh not only d
sserve thanks Of all humane people, but also Il
Tray, Blanche, and Sweetheart for their noble Q
rotest against this revolving practice of cruelty.
be dog has defended man long enough. It was !.
me- somebody came to the defense OF the dog. h