The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-06-10

Right here in this county of Marion, a.
Traders Point, according to a statement of
the Indiana Farmer, about sixty sheep and
lambs, in one flock, owned by one mao. Mr..
Thompson, were killed by vagabond dogs.
This is a very heavy tax on one man, as well
as public loss of no trifing Importance.
II it were a solitary instance, or an extraor-
binary event of the kind, comment on it
would be very different from what is de-
manded when it is known that such outrages
are common. The above case is extraordi-
nary in the number of animals
destroyed by single raid, but similar dam
ages are of frequent occurrence, SO frequent,
in fact, that the annual aggregate of loss
from this cause tOots up into the millions of
dollars. Besides, the direct damage done by
the killing of sheep, the indirect loss by
preventing attempts to raise sheep is many
times greater. Altogether, the subjec: is
one deserving of more serious consideration
than it has yet received, Notwithstanding
legislation on the subject in nearly all the |
states. As the Sentinel endeavored to show |
some time since, the remedy proposed oy
the Farmer is useless. The Farmer |
says: "The tax on dogs should be 80 heavy |
that only responsible owners could pay !
it and only valuable animals be allowed to |
live" No such result as that supposed |
can be reached by excessive taxation. The
irresponsible owners of worthless ours
are such as would fail to pay
even moderate tax. Suppose heavy
tax be assessed and the poor man
Uho GUMS Savarol villoinous dooS foilS 70
pay his tax What is to be done?. He goes
upon the delinquent list and stays there,
being proof against all legal remedies. The
best suggestion on this point was lately
published in the Farmers Home Journal of
Lexington, KY, which was that moder-
aLely heavy tax be assessed, and that
the penalty of non-payment be the
death of the dog. The principal difficulty in
the way of such q statute, granting that it
should be held constitutional, would be its
execution. 1t would require not only
pubic tax collector but also a public deg
killer. As the Sentinel contended in for
mer article, there is but one way
which promises relief, and that Is
rather slow. An effort must
be made to improve the race of dogs. There
was lately held in Scotland a dog exhibit
ton, not a new thing in Europe by any ,
means, in which the greatest interest was
taken. A couple of weeks since the first
page of Moore's Rural was adorned {
with portraits of prizs takers at
that sshow. Agricultural fairs could
do as valuable service to the country by
well-bred dogs as well-bred
horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs. The dog is
a domestic animal so naturally and prop
srly esteemed by mankind, that extermina- I
lion is simply impossible if it were ad-
vlsable to work in that direction. But
when the noble qualities of this most
intelligent of all dumb animals is consid-
sred, it is as unreasonable to make war upon /
,he race because low bred ours kill sheep l
as il would be to desire the ex-
termination of mankind because some bar 4
Darians are cannibals. No, the true idea,
and one that is worthy the most !
earnest attention of all, is to
improve the dog race. 1t is a
most noble field of exertion OF far more !
practical value than the development OF a
speed in horses. The direct effect would be j
20 save millions of money TO sheep hus-
Dandry, while the real value of fine bred 4
loas becomes as remarkable as that of aris- Q
.ocratic short horns which some (
lines represent fortune in g
single individual. Legislation Is needed. '
All that can be done by vigorous taxation
Ind by restraining.the propagation of vile I
,urs should be done. Public welfare de- 2
hands it. But better thing is the i'm Z
,rovement of the animal. Once the
Juror is raised in that direction and )
inc dogs become fashionable, the