Morning journal and courier., 1885-12-17
More About Dogs.

To the editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER: The article on dogs in your issue of Decem- Der 18th by Humanity is rather exagger- ated and overdrawn, but partially excused by the terrible results of bites of mad dogs But the article signed ID. in the issue of Dec. 16th, also about dogs, is illogical, if not out rageous. and most readers will think the cpl thst ''imbecile" will fit "D" better than Humanity"
 opp is certainly illogical in accusing ''Hu- manity" of "a savage, untutored mind" for it is well known fact that dogs and the un- tutored savages have been boon companions and friends for ages and still are in civilized parts of the earth, whereas Humanity would like to 'make it pretty hot'' for dogs and very expensive for the owner of one ($100 tax.)
 But let us treat the subject fairly. Beyond doubt many human lives have been saved by dogs of noble instincts, and on the other hand many more human and animal lives have been lost through ths bites of vicious and mad dogs. Therefore will venture an opinion I am not an 'Eimbecile," |" either that the people of this country would be much better off if the number of dogs in the coun- try were reduced three-fourths, say ing, of course, the more intelligent and valuable one fourth a number sufficient for all actual needs, feel sure.
 l would also offer a suggestion for the basis of law which would go far, if fully enforced, to relieve the people of the danger to human life and property constantly threatened by vicious and mad dogs Let onr government, considering dogs necessa- ry evil, require that every dog over two months old shall be registered in the town where owned or kept and wear suitable collar plainly marked with the number he is registered under, and also the name of owner or keeper and his address.
 Make the owner or keeper responsible for any damage done by his dog.
 Let each town collect license tax of $1O on every dog registered (without regard to sex, except when the owner also has ten or mere sheep for every dog exempted from the license tax, he stating under oath that he needs his dogs for the care of his sheep.
 Make the penalty for killing @ registered dog (having collar on) S2O unless justified by reason of the dog being mad, or having bitten any person or cattle.
 N Make * it Permissible for anyone to kill any lar on.
 The tendency of such 8 law we'll enforced, would be to largely reduce the number of encourage Sheep raising, mixing ifisla stae sage dog owner friendly to sheep raising, as well relieve the sheep owner of the dog tax, and to large extent of the danger to his sheep from vicious dogs; and then besides having cheaper mutton, we would also have cheaper wool.
 It is probable that S10 dog tax would put es much money in the town treasury as the present tax now does, and those really needing dog could afford to pay it. And those who only keep a dog from pure love of a dog, certainly ought not to complain at an expense of s10 for their own exclusive pleasure. In conclusion let me add; I was born in the country where both dogs and sheep were plenty, and I know somethiDp of the damaoa two or three dogs can do in one night among sheep. J was also bitten in the face by a dog when sixteen years old. My father kept sheep and at times a dog. The last one went mad and had to be shot.
 fully believe the dog question is of great importance to the public at large.
 P. F. s.