The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-01
Prntectiont ofSheep.

We .ipy:tc attention to the very we'll rea'
aoned article signed OR. n. S." IN Tbs
mornings Dispatch on the subject OF pro-
tectipg sheep by imposing tax on dogs.
We have been surprised that in State so
earnestly agricultural as Virginia there
sho,lld be such indifference to the rayages OF
dogs upon the flocks that fern such con-
siderable part of the wealth Of the STATE anu
promise to become yet more prollhc source
of thrift to Virginia husbandry.
Dogs. in their iudiscTminate multitude
nousness and unrestricted freedom are gene
rally the concomitaAts Of savage life. In
proportion as land approaches state OF
civilization their numbers in proportion to
men decrease, their races become improved,
and their habits less wild, until dc country
of real civilization their raids Il pen domestic
animals are either entirely stopped or the
laws prescribe remedies that result i'll com.
pensation for their injuries. Take Great Bril-
tain. for instance There Is nowhere to be
found better or, more inveterate sCortsmen.
OF course, too, there you find the most tho
roughbrcd dogs; but when do you hear OF
their worrying the tine tlocks Of sheep of the
English Estates!
The unlimited privilege CT keeping dogs in
this State, and the bad discipline that is
practiced with regard to them, are ,incom'
patible witha state Of proper civilization and
hostile to an improved condition OF agricul-
ture. II we think Oft, we cannot discover
the sources of qualification, ard notae what.
evcr.of profit, in owning dogs that caa 80 10
compensate for the loss sustained by theil
annoyances and destructITeness. But we see
that the chief owners Of. dogs are not d!ose
and industrious tilers OF the soil.
The losers by the canine ravages are aot
great lovers and very small owners OF tho
canine species. The dog fsslciers are gene
rally not in danger Of losing much by tiril
ravages. Their neighbors arc the sufferers
and what do they care if they may 90 ou
once week and shoot few par irdges, ruI
"moliy cotton. tal, '-lsZly Idle time away
and exc out a subsistence by a.li'ttle "pot'
hunting" 1t is this which very much inn
pairs the general industry and IMP rovemeni
of the State.
This grievance is one that no ( nergetic
manly, and civilized PROFESSIONALS ,bmit to
1t is reflection upon the Legislature of the
State that it has been so long permit ed. l.
it that The power of the dog-fnncien us Sc
great at the polls that the Legislature Is de
tered from doing anything for the p "otec
ton Of the sheep? Which is most / . be
priced, the dog or the sheep? Why, oi ;hty
years ago rewards were paid for the SC W. Of
the wolf. Aud now dogs kill uore
sheep in Virginia than wolves taen
killed, and who offers bill to pay ,asr
the scalp Of the dog. Nobody. Aad wi W.
Is it that the Welt was vagabond anil psa
which had no master who could vote at I he
polls and the dog has master who c. 10
vote and whose vote protects the scalp OF th e
dogi
We hope for the sake Of the State aud the
farmer-aye, for civilization itself-that some
law for the protection of sheep may soon Ire
matured by the Legislature. Such a mes-
sure it is incumbent upon the Legislature to
pass. 1t is one of The highest duties con-
corning the domestic welfare of the State
which they are called upon TO perform. Can
not the State Grange bring this about?