Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-07
THE HORSES FRIEND.
4 Talk with the Man ON n Tricycle.
who Looks After Maltreafed Animals.

The Humane society, as the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been
known since its charter was extended by Con-
gress to include the protection of children,
has moved its headquarters from New York
avenue to F street, between 18th and 18th
streets. The rooms occupied by the society are
above the Woman's Exchange, and large
sign over the door informs the passers-by where
the Humane Society office is located. Agent
Key, who wears the badge of special police
man and has the full authority of a member of
the force to make arrests, had brought his tri-
cycle to a stand at the curb the other day, and
was gazing up with considerable satisfaction at
the display made by the sign in the new local.
ity when a STAR reporter happened to pass
along. Stopping TO have CHAT with the pro-
tector OF dumb brutes THE STAR reporter soon
found out that MIR. Key was suffering from a
slight disability incurred in the discharge OF
his duty and he was then ON his way TO apply
nniment 10 foot, which a disabled horse in
the excess, perhaps, OF his gratitude to his pre-
server had stepped upon the night bei6te: ~
used" observed Mr.. Key, land in leading him
away from the car when had found him be
stepped on my foot.
"Rather rough on your foot remarked the
listener. shut how about the car that was lett
without motive power asked the reporter.
81 rode on the ear, was the reply, until We
came To a hill horse, and then a SOunder animal
was substituted tor the disabled beast. always
try To do my duty with as little friction as pos
sible. and am not unreasonable"
How are you treated now:'' inquired the
listener.
"First rate" was the prompt response. 81
never have any difficulty. OF course. now and
then some one who is not familiar with
the laws and the action of our courts is
inclined TO resist me, but such cases are very
rare. During the three or four years of my
connection with the society there has been a
change DOT only in the treatment OF animals in
this District, but In public sentiment on this
subject. 1 have now assistants all over the
city. The boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen.
when they witness an act OF cruelty to the dumb
creatures, instead OF saying nothing, either
make some protest on the spot or report the
matter TO the society. Men who use animals
and were formerly cruel in their treatment
have now become aware that they have not a
right 10 treat dumb beasts, even though they
own them, as they see Mt.
"Where do most Of your cases come frOm?'
was the next inquiry
1.-The railroad companies" said Mr.. Key,
"need the most watching. They have a way of
putting TO work horses that are unit to be on
the road, and they do it at times when it will
be least noticed As rule the stock of the
railroad companies in this city is in a good con-
dition and we'll cared for, but sometimes, and
generally at night, a bad horse is put in car"
"Do you see those Chickens" suddenly in
corrupted the reporter, calling Mr.. Keys atten-
ton 10 a man walking along, who was carrying
chickens with their heads resting ON his arm,
Instead OF heads downward, as is usually the
case.
Mr. Key smiled grimly and said, ~ suppose
be caught sight of me- We have been enforcing
the law in regard TO chickens, and it has had a
good effect. / have distributed these dodgers
around the markets and grocery stores" he
went on, producing a small hand bill with the
following printed In very black letters: THE
law protects chickens. Gie no legs; carry no
beads down; nor crowd in cOOps. Humane So
ciety."
Mr.. Key, in further conversation, said that
the dread disease Oi CHAMBERS among horses,
which appeared; 10 some extent in this city last
year, had about disappeared, owing TO precau-
lions which those Interested had taken, and he
unprecedented no further trouble on this score
ar present.