The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-05
The Rat Law-Mr. Bergh-Nuisonces.

The Rat LAWN. Bergh-N uisances.
We printed an article yesterday showing |
how the city is becoming ovorrun with rats.
This is in consequence OF law prohibiting |
rat-baitlng, and the enforcement OF that law |
by Mr.. HENRY BERGH
Mr. THOMAS FULLERTON, well-lnown
and successful professor OF tho art OF rat
catching, SAYS that Mr.. BERGH has taken
forciblc possession OF his rat-catchng tongs,
OF the value OF twenty-five dollars, and re-
fuses to return them--a matter deserving
the attention Of the District Attorney and
the Grand Jury.
We look upon rat-catching and rat-bniting
as two harmonious branches OF most use
full industry. So far from being prohibited
by law, they deserve, rather, to be cncour-
aged and protected by legislation AT every
bench show OF dogs there should be pre-
MUM for the canine that has killed the
largest number of rats in given time. Ter
riers Of the different varieties are generally
used for this purpose; but 1t is doubtful
whether tho best of terriers would not bo
surpassed in this exploit by well-trained
grcyhounds, some of which exhibit very
strong natural instinct for rat-killing, while
they are probably the quickest in their mo-
lions OF all dogs
1t seems that Mr. BERGH himself is now
pctitioning Gov. ROBINSON for the pardon
OF young Mr.. BURT, who, through his in
strumentality, was recently sentenced to
the penitentiary for keeping place for rat
batting. This is inconsistent and ridiculous
in Mr.. BERGH II the law prohibiting rat
batting is right. then Mr.. BURT deserves his
punishment and Mr.. BERoH ought not to in
terfero with his sentence.
But the law forbiddng rat-baiting is not
right. 1t is wholly wrong, and mischievous;
and II is for this reason Mr.. BURT should be
pardoned; while the law itself should be
speedily repealed.
Rats are now multiplying with great
rapidity. 1t is said that single pair, II UNI
disturbed. will raise more than one hundred
in a year. They destroy large amounts Of
property and render houses almost unin-
habitable. What is Mr.. BERGH going TO do
about it2
As we understand his point, II is not that
rats should not be destroyed but IL Is that
COPS way, and mans way heretofore, OF
destroying them by means Of dogs, should
be improved upon in these enlightened and
humane days, and that rats should be put
to death in some easier way. II Il rat bites
the nose or the toes Of child sleeping in
| cradle, we suppose the rat should DO laid
upon down and killed by chloroform scien-
tihcally administered
There is another mode OF death said 10 he
nearly free from pain To animals. That is
TO send them up in the air until they reach
an atmosphere so rarcfed that it will not
support animal life. Very likely therefore,
Mr. BERGH's plan is TO kill the rats by send
ing them up In a balloon.
But how is he going TO catch the rats and
put them into the balloon
1t will devolve on the learned and eminent
counsel OF the Society for the Prevention Of
Cruelty TO Animals to devise way.
MIR. BERGH would hardly desire TO be be-
hind the common sportsman In point Of
chivalry in his practices. sportsman is
unwilling to shoot bird sitting on the
ground or on a tree. He Pushes the bird be-
fore he fires. "Give him one chance Tor his
life" is tho old gunner's familiar remark.
III ! can't drop him ON the wing let him get
away"
A rat cannot be flushed and only killed on
the wing, because n rat cannot fly-a fact
obvious to tho dullest comprehension from
the circumstance OF his having no wings.
Mr. BERGH might, possibly, however, put
himself on a level with the ordinary sports
man in this way: he might first catch the
rats and grease their tails, and then let
them loose again before the final catching
to put them in balloon. This would give
! them chance OF escape, and would be
equivalent TO flushing a partridge before
firing at him.
1t would be funny, too-somethng like
chasing a creased pig To see the great
humanitarian, his officers and associates
chasing ten thousand rats, all with CREASED
tails about the wharves, the warehouses
the private dwellings. the docks. and In,
sewers OF the city. would be rare sport {,
the rising generation, only surpassed II
interest by the grand finale Of sending W
such as could be caught a second time in {
balloon.