The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-20
Ninety Ours Suffocated in the
Gas Tank.
BUNGLING SCIENCE.
The CANNES Complaint
Set Forth.
A General Crusade in England
Against Bowwow.


smith shops and stables; and though there is a
row Of respectable brick houses occupied as tene-
ments by good class Of citizens, the greater por-
ton OF the dwellings are somewhat squalld and
their occupants OF the lower strata in metropolitan
society In this street our city fathers have located
their dog -surocaiing machine. The pound was at
Its best estate stable. A fiat roof with many
akylights covers the space between two brick
walls, 100 feet deep by twenty-five feet
wide, this is foOred At the 'front.' next Thirty
seventh street, is q second hand desk from Canal
street. near it lay two iron gas holders-cyinders
eighteen inches across and four ieet long, These
and two chairs served IN turn to seat some twenty
men, policemen, Berghs men, reporters and men
who had more curiosity than care. Further in
stood tank 10 feet long, 8 feet broad and feet
high built OF two inch white pine plank, Joints
smeared with paint. At the front end it mad an
opening yard square, and one OF like size on
the top. This was the gas retOrt in
which humanitarian science proposed to as
phyxiate the doomed dogs, who to the
numoer of 225 were chained to the floor in the
balance OF the pound. They were dogs Of all dog
colors. Evidently under the constitutional amend
ment there had been no unjust discrimination in
their reception on account OF age, sex previous
condition OF restitution. Every cur OF them bore
upon his face, body and limbs the evidence OF hav-
AAb suAClOu ooioiC SOuiiiiB w pouHu rum u Ddu
name, at least, though proofs of lack OF nourish-
ment and positive disease were not lacking in the
large majority of the yeping pack Strange to
say, though usually called dumb, not OF
the 225 lacked voice. From the whine OF newly
whelped spaniel to the deep cry OF the mastin,
through many gradations Of sound, these beasts
sent their protests TO heaven IN such dscordant
din that no save those Of paid Official could
endure it without the deepest pam. 1t was one
constant roar. Only when at rare intervals Cap
tam Marriott, the pound MASTER would startle the
kennel by resonant stroke with a bludgeon on
the plank tank were the wheps awed for mo-
ment into silence
THE sUFFoCATIOM
About half OF the dogs having been in legal de-
tention over weight hours, as prescribed in
the dog ordnance, were to suffer the penalty of
having come into this breathing world as pups,
not cur has been claimed. Once in while a
mourniul looking citizen who had lost his cog, or
VINO simulated that loss 70 speculate In canine ne
NANCY throng would pass away, making
no sign of recognition for any pointer or
with So to iiberate any barker which pleased his
fancy. At last, the artist in gas having come. the
began his work of death. Detachng cur from
his chain, ne would seize him by the back OF the
neck, walk to the tank and drop the unresistng
81 comment or protest did the GROWERS utter on
this startling proceeding. Apparently they rather
freed from the hated collar and chain Half
IN hour was occupied in thus boxing up
ninety dogs. Most OF these were those whose day
had come. Some were added to the death roll by
indication OF Mr.. Bergh's men, ours which from dis
ease ana debility were certain be Gained as
property OF any citizen. The ninety being secured
In the tank, the Id was closed and the gas let in
from the iron gasholders. which We're charged
under great pressure with carbOc acid gas made
In Philadelphia. 1t took fifty minutes Tor the gas
TO dow into the tank from these two holders. No
arrangement was made for exhausrlng the COM
mon air which previously filled the tank. For as
long as twenty minutes alter the gas now COM
menced the death struggles OF the Sutfucari ting
brutes could be distinctly heard and felt upon that
wooden slaughter pen.
SLOW DEATH.
PROBABLY fully half an hour, perhaps even longer
was occupied IN TINS scientific suifocaton OF the
helpless dogs. They could have been drowned in
one third OF that time. No practical man can deny
that the operation was dreary bungle That the
death was painful as IL slow was clearly evil
Victims, which could be clearly heard in spite OF
the internal hOwis Of their outside companions
whose late Is set down for to-day Struggling with
the poison In his lungs, some big dog could
plainly be felt TO beat his cage with his legs in co
vulsive efforts to escape.
Alter the dogs had been under the power or the
gas for an hour and quarter cart was brought
the ninety dogs lay Covering the tank Gp door, dead
or seemingly So In most cases they appeared
G 5 sss,S aua n er0T g through nas
a Te about the Perhaps they
the indications were against that conclusion
and force the impression that they were clumsily
witnessed by Captain Mcdonald OF the Twentieth
precinct police anu hall dozen officers. by seve
raj OF Mr.. Berghs men and by lev others.
THE NUISANCE.
While these dreary doings occupied the pound
master and his assistants the occupants OF the
sentiments. One OF them told the HERALD reporter
that the yelping of the dogs Is constant night and
had ever m New rorR He
said II the neighbors felt as he did and had any
pluck the hrst man VINO should come about
the pound this morning should be hanged by o mob.
Every one OF the opposite houses bears placards
announcing apartments to let, and no doubt the
presence OF the pound in such near proximity IS
enough to deter people from taking up their resi-
dence there at present.
To-day the balance OF the dogs in pound will be
next Monday, as 1t Is requisite to use sunday Tor
cleaning the place before fresh batch Is bought.
Presentment by the Grand Jury on the
Dog Question.
The Grand Jury made the following presentment
Yesterday aiternoon:-
The Grand Jury of the Court Of General Sessions
In and Tor the county OF New York respectfully
present:-That having made inquiry In reference
TO the operation oil the ordinance OF the Common
Council IN relation to the destruction Oh dogs, find
there Is All absolute necessity for such an ordl-
uance ana heartily approve OF the object INTENDED
to be accomplished thereby; but We also believe
that the execution OF the law as 1t now exists, Is
detrimental TO the morals al the youth ana OBJ
noxtous to the sensibilties OF the community gene
rally. We would, therefore, most earnestly reCOm-
mend the honorable the Common Council TO so
amend the ordinance az to abolish the Offering OF
areward Tor the capture OF dogs and substitute
therefor the employment OF men TO be appointed
Dy the Mayor Tor that purpose, the capture and
destruction to be effected under such regulations
TO render 1t as inonensive to the pubic as pos
nD!e; and we do further recommend that the use
of the premises now occupied as dog pound in
west Thirty seventh street be discontinued be-
cause OF its close proximity to one OF the public
schools, and more suitable location be lmme-
iiately selected. ID. b. TURNER Foreman.
NEW YORK. June 10, 1874.
The Dogs Side of the story.
george william Johnston wayne Hovey), editor
u Mr. Berghs society paper, delivered lecture
sefore the Liberal Club last evening. OF which the
Ollowing Is the substance
MR.. PREsIDENT--Now. as to the question whether
h5dr0pnobla Is or Is not In any degree dependent
lp0n the dog days Tor Its development can be set
lied only by references to the oicial reports mat
nave been published on the subject THAT OF the
French government in 1852 was more exhaustive
and minute IN detail than any that has preceded