Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-05-27
An Appeal FOR Kindness to Animals.

AT the annual meeting of the illinois
Humane Society, held on the Sth of May,
1875, a committee was appointed to pre-
pare an appeal for the organization OF
Societies for Prevention Of Cruelty to
Animals. The principal officers OF the
illinois Association are r. P. Derickson,
President, and Albert W. Landon, Secre-
tary, with headquarters at go East Mad
is0n street, Chicago. The following ap-
peal has been issued by the committee
appointed for that purpose:
To the Humane Men and Women of the North
west the Illinois Humane Society Sends Greet
ing:
Should pestilence seize our domestic
animals no pains or means would be
spared to find remedy. Preventive
measures would be enforced with the
severest penalties.
Should band of marauders, merciless
and powerful, sweep over the land, tax
ing the life of every dumb animal as
they passed, vigilance committees would
be speedily organized and vengeance
would be taken without stint and with
out mercy.
Improper feeding and neglect are not SO
speedy, but they are as sure as pestilence
in wasting the lives of our dunno friends.
Overlooking beasts of burden; over
driving willing animals; torturing those
unwilling to be overloaded or over
driven; beating those whose physical
condition is unequal to the task imposed
upon them-these are as fatal as the
knife or the bullet of the marauder and
far more cruel, since they permit pro
longed and oft-repeated suffering.
If humanity does not suggest prevent
i've measures and demand punishment
for violation of law, mercenary motives
may be adduced. 1t is believed that the
increased value of animals protected
from wanton injury will far more than
repay the cost of their protection.
The measures thus far adopted have
met with the most hearty approval of all
right-thinking men and women.
The mere fact of an organization for
the enforcement of the law against
cruelty to animals will prevent in large
measure the thoughtless cruelty now
practiced, and an occasional fine for
fragrant violation of law will secure kind
.treatment Of our dumb friends. Their
mute appeals ought not to need the en-
forcement of law, but that such need ex-
lists everywhere cannot be denied
One of the directors of the Illinois
Humane Society-not an of1cer-has
within the past few months, while in
pursuit of his regular business, attended
to more than hundred cases requiring
only reproof for correction. His connecs
ton with the society has given weight to
his reproof.
Efectual work demands organization.
Concert of action alone will secure the
correction of willful offenders, and di-
m1nish the vast amount of thoughtless
ness ON the part of those not willfully
cruel.
The Illinois Humane Society will be
glad to forward such publications as may
aid in the formation of State or local
societies, and it invites correspondence
upon this most important subject.
Without waiting for organization or
official action, each man or woman may
find occasion to speak to heartless men
or to needless boys, and thus save the
faithful horse and feathered songster
from cruel treatment.
Let the friends of kind treatment of
animals take the matter in hand at once,
and the blessings promised the merciful
will be their rich reward.