The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-29
DROWNING THE DOGS.
The First Execution Of the Curs-A Fat Beys
Joy and q Litiie Girls Grief

The destruction OF condemned dogs at the
pound. which was commenced on wednesday
and abandoned on account Of an unexpected
collapse OF the machine. was continued on
Thursday by Keeper Mcmahon. with such vigor
that before 5 o'clock the total number OF ours
drowned was nearly 600. or course none but
the entirely worthless dogs are doomed to de-
struction; those that arc OF any yalde are kept
to the last
The animals destined to pay the bitter penalty
OF vagrancy are placed In q wide space fenced
OF from the regular pens. door opens upon
small railroad on which Is running n rough
deal car. carryingS gan iron cage about Ave feet
square. and three leet high. The dogs are
rapidly seized by skilful keepers. who carry
them to the door and drop them into the cage
through an opening at the top. Fiity-nine were
thus hauled In. some Swapping viciously. and
fruitlessly trying TO bite their execuuoners.
others bowling dolefully. and large number
going to their death without a struggle OF cry.
Yet It was evident that every one OF these ami
mails when he was placed in the cage wholly
OF partially realized the fate that awaited him.
Though among them were the most vicious
dogs in the pound. and though they were 30
crowded together that nearly half OF them had
to stand upon the backs OF their fellows. there
gwen from n the time tho frst was thrown ia
until they sank beneath the surface OF the river.
Two d0si ssss ped. the fate S q suioca;ion One
ssd and So him that SSs esar be
present Sss shot the h. Wo1Hded animal. and The
ss6,d SPIT also es S b The more more painful
chamber OF the oficer's pistol.
Worthless as tho dogs were intrinsicAlly
there were some there whose lives had not been
spent In vain or without making frends or
protectors. Just as the cage was about TO be
closed q fat boy. with % in his hand. rushed
was female. and, perhaps. as pronounced 9
cur AS any In the pound. but It's rotundity OF
obsy was TAKEN on
and handed TO him. while the other dogs looked
wstfully upon the almost miraculous escape.
nance illumined with JOY. while that OF the dog
wore a chastened and sobered expression OF
Slowly the car carried the cage toward the
river. the dogs auiverinR as they felt 1t move.
But thirty seconds were occupied ia making
died OF pure fright. His body was taken out
and thrown upon CHASTITY heap that lay on the
icofihg on, the iron cage was lifted from the
ear with wndlass and ropes and lowered to-
Il descended very slowly and 1t was probably
| three minutes before the water entered at the
bottom. There was sudden upheaylng OF the
| escape by mounting upon each others backs
but the cage went down. and the turbid river
Al this moment little girl about years OF
| age ran to the water side. She had looked ia
| vain for her dog among the living. and now she
| came 10 search among the dead. With clasped
hands and fearful eyes she watched for the re-
appearance OF the cage. and when after seven
eagerly at the mass that 1t contained. But a
| dog moved or the keeper thought so. and the
bodies we're lowered for two minutes longer.
| Haul them up" said the keeper at last. II
| there is one alive now I'll let him 60"
But there was none alive not even the poor
| little yellow cur that lay Mt the bottom Of the
heap and belonged to the little girl She covered
| her face with her hands as his body was
| had followed her. tried TO pacify her by saying
| What difference does II make2' she was not
| grief.