The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-21
DROWNING THE DOGS.
Six Cages FUN OF the Qundrupeds Swung into
the Dock ut the Dog Pound.

The Dog Pound was in n state OF ferment
yesterday morning. The 300 curs-the product
Of two days catchng-were to be drowned.
row Of what looked like immense hencoops on
wheels were drawn up before the door. each
containing its noisy cargo OF four footed pas
sengers, and amateur and professional con-
noisseurs OF all ages and degrees OF dirt sur
rounded the cages and poked the dogs and
commented upon them. Boy dog brokers,
leading dogs with strings. skunk around. paus-
ing now and then in out OF the way corners TO
drive furtve bargains with the catchers. I'M
der the amended ordinance only those who nre
regularly licensed are authorized to deliver
dogs at the pound.
Jumping up against the wooden walls Of their
prison. yelping and bowling. rising up on their
hind legs. and paving the air in vain efforts to
recognize familiar face. dropping exhausted
on the floor. moping in solitary corners with
tongues hanging out. looking pteously up for
token of recognition. whimpering with de-
light at the touch Of kindly hand. and then
sinking down again into sullen despair, and
breaking ont in fierce and vindctive barking
such was the general aspect OF the victims; ,
hearted old John Mcmahon. the keeper and
e,xccgtioneri To the humanity Of President
into the details Of his craft, without which
simple philanthropy would fail Of its aim,
AT S'a O'Clock tho OllnnG ron c0g", elgnt 1et
in length by four In width and three In height
was trundled up the main alley way Qt tho
pound until 1t paused in the centre Of tho build
Ing. officer fairfield OF Mr. Berghs society
ass isted BY one of the deputy keepers. Jumped
into tho leit-hand alley; third deputy sta;
toned himself half way between the alley and
the cage. and n fourth took up hs position over
the open mouth OF tho latter. Then Nity-three
dogs were slowed, away, and thG Door Of THO
cago was uncomfortaby fun. "Thatll do"
was the shout OF an officer Of MIR. Bcrgll's
society, who stood by in blue cont and brass
buttons. Tho iron door WINS shut down and
| locked tight, The car started down the aisle
| toward the door. the wheels crcaking heavily
and the curs within setting up n plaintive crv.
| At \ % the doors swung open with n bang, and
| the funeral procession stood on the edge Of tho
| wharf The pen was attached to "a kind Of der
! rick and two deputies under the superintend-
enc, OF Mr.. Mcmahon manned the windlass.
| " Hoist awayl"
In few seconds moro the cage was dangling
| over the water. and then it slowly descended.
| The quarterback Of u ueighboring bark was
! dense mass OF spectators. who crowded into
| the rigging. the tops. and even ON 10 the yards
| of the vessel. Several passing tug boats shut
of steam and paused.
The dogs looked wistfully up at the bright
sky. thea down at the mirroring water. Down.
| down, down. they went with a splash. the up
permost struggling trantically ut the iron bars,
! and those below seemingly resigned to their
| fate. The obbing tide closed over them, and
/ nothing was seen but bubbles and foam. When
! the dogs renppcared after lapse OF ten min
! utes, the long silky hair was straightcned out
and the stiifened limbs hung limp aud motion
! less.
On the second descent the car was more
crowded. and there WINS less struggling. The
! officers OF Mr.. Bergh's society view crowding IA
| the most merclful means ot killing, since the
| lam" precudes the possibility Of the dogs
fighting and struggling beneath the surface.
| The third car load consisted Of nifty eight. and
! the fourth Of siNty-twO. The sixth and last
! batch was let down into the water at IL o'clock
| Over 500 dogs were drowned.