The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-20
The Canine Crusade In London.

From the London Times June 81
An alarm about canine madness Is one that is
almost certain to recur periodically with the recur
renee OF hot weather, although 1t has long been
known to all who are practically acquainted with
the subject that neither season nor temperature
exerts any appreciable influence upon the preva-
lence OF the disease. In England where dogs are
SO often killed in mere panic, no trustworthy sta
tistics with reference to this part of the question
can be obtained; in France, where careful obser-
vations have been made, 1t has been shown that
the difference between the difierent periods OF
the year is only trivial, but tnat in lact more
authenticated cases OF rabies occur in spring.
The summer ana winter quarters afford each
about the same number, and the autumn quarter
Is the least severely visited Notwlth-
standing. however, all needn't allowance for
popular exaggeration. there can be no doubt that
the number OF stray and masteriess dogs in the
metropolis is sucn as TO call for active interference
the part OF the authorities. They are nuisances
even when they are not sources of danger. In the
five months already referred to no fewer than 7246
dogs were seized by the police. or these, 643 we're
promptly restored to the owners and 6603 were
sent TO the Dogs Home, where, according to the
Secretary, not a single dog mas shown any symp-
poitan liie at least In the more closely inhabited
portions are totally opposed TO the maintenance
dogs In the more crowded parts of towns ar in
streets where the houses have no convenient
yards and other premises, ought undoubtedly to
be IN every way discountenanced. Few things
can be more unnatural than the existence OF
collie or retriever who spends his days In Lon
don area. The animals thus kept are often house
hold pets, and as such, are treated with all kind
ness; but the kindness itself borders very closely
upon cruelty. 1t has been proposed to diminish
the number of dogs by publishing lists or the
license-holders, ana by giving rewards to any who
inform against those who keep dogs without .
license. Would II not also be possible to restrict
the issue OF licenses, and to grant Them in
large towns, only to those who occupy premises
upon which dogs might be kept without
becoming sources OF offence to the neighbors or
passers-by, and on which due attention to food
water, cleanliness and exercise should at least be
posslbleY Such restriction as this would abolish
tae great majority of the ours that swarm in ST.
Giles and in kindred localities 1t would be no
cause Of grevnus lamentation to the friends and
relatives the owners II 1t should have the Incl
dental effect OF despatching into the country many
or the favOrtes which now lo out of Belgravian
carriages. To some, no doubt, the suggested pro-
hibtion would seem arbitrary and uncalled for.
But the fact is that the dog. admirable as COM
panion and friend in the country has no proper
place in the Life OF great cities. The dwellers in
towns must sacrifice many things in return tor the
benefits they receive, and in London at least it
would be well II the society OF dogs were to be In
cuded among The number. The demand lor them
is almost entirely artificial. and, after while their
absence would no longer be regretted.