Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-29
DROWNING THE DOGS.

-
SIX Cages Full of Quadruppds
Pound. US
New York SUM-
The dog pound was in a state of fer
ment yesterday morning. The three
hundred curs-the product Of two DAYS
catchlng-were to be drowned. A row
OF what looked like immense hen.coops
on wheels were drawn up before the
door, each containing its noisy cargo of
t~ouriooted passengers, aud amateur and
professional connolsseurs Of all ages and
degrees OF dirt surrounded the cages
and poked the dogs aud commented
upon them. Boy dog.brokers, leading
dogs with strings, SUNK around, pausing
COW n then in out of the way corners
TO drive turtive bargains with the catch
ers. Under the amended ordinance
only those who are regularly licensed
are authorized to deliver dogs at the
pound.
Jumping up against the wooden walls
OF their prison, yelpiag and bowling.
rising up on their hind legs, and paving
the air in vain efforts to recognize q
familiar face, dropping exhausted on the
moor, moping ia solitary corners with
tongues hanging out, looking piteouslv
up for a token of recognition, whimper.
ing With delight at the touch Of a kindly
hand, and then sinking down again into
sullen despair, and breaking out in
herce and vlndlctive barking-such was
the general aspect of the victims.
Through the thick of the tbronS
moved kind.hearted old john McMaben
the keeper and executioner. To the
humanity of President Bergh Mr.. Nc.
Mahon adds that practical insight into
the details Of his craft, without which
simple philanthropy would fail Of its
aim.
At a quarter past 8 o'clock the oblonp
iron cage, eight feet in length bv fonr
in width and three 10 hight was tr1ndled
up the main alley-way of the Mound
until 1t paused in the center of the build
ing. Officer Hatfield, of Mr.. Bergh's
society, assisted by one Of the deputy
keepers, jamped into the left hand ailey:
a third deputy stationed himself half
way between the alley and the age. and
1ANA
a fourth took up his position over the
open mouth Of the latter. Then 6ftv.
three dogs were slowed away, aud the
noor OF the cage was uncomfortably full.
Thatll do, was the shout Of an officer
OF Mr.. Bergh's society, who stood by in
blue coat and brass buttons. The iron
door was shut down and locked tight
The car started down the aisle toward
the door, and the curs within setting
up a p~laintive cry. At twenty Eve min
ntes past 8 the doors swung open with a
bang, and the funeral procession stood
on the edge Of the wharf. The pen was
attached to a kind OF derrick, and two
deputies under the superinten1ence of
Mr.. MoMahon manned the windlass.
Hoist awayl'
La a few seconds more the cage was
dangling over the water, and then IL
slowly descended.
The quarterback of q n~eighboripg
bark was a dense mass of spectators
who crowded into the rigging, the tops
and even on to the yards of the vessel.
Several passing tugboats shut of steam
and paused.
The dogs looked wistfally up at the
bright SLY, then downward al the mirror
ing water. Down, down, down, thew
went with a splash, the uppermost strue.
Cling frantically at the iron bars, and
those below seemingly resigned to their
fate. The ebbing tide closed over them.
and nothing was seen but bubbles and
foam. When the dogs repeared after a
lapse OF ten minutes, the long silky hair
was Strengthened out and the stifened
limbs hung limp and ~motionless.
On the second descent the car was
more crowded, and then there was less
struggling. The officers Of Mr.. Bcrgb's
society view crowdipg as the most merci-
full means Of killing, since the Jam" pre-
cludes the possibility of the dogs fight
ing and struggling beneath the surface.
The third carload consisted of ffty-
eight, and the fourth Of sixty.two. The
sixth and last batch wal let down into
the water at II o'clock. Over 300 dogs
we're drowned.