The record-union., 1892-05-05
The Supervisors and the Humane
Society.


EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN: I learned with
pain and surprise this evening that the
Board of Supervisors of this county has
hesitated to pass an ordinance defining
thetying of calves in cruel manner and
the transportation of poultry in INSULT
clent coopS to be cruelty to animals.
For very many years | have given the
whole subject of crueltyto animals study.
The purpose Of humane societies, of
which there are several hundred, is two
fold-to save animals subservient to man
from cruel treatment, and to prevent
such treatment of animals that human
sensibilities viii be hardened and men
and children be led into habits of inhu-
manity. In prohibiting inhumanity to
food animals third purpose is in view,
TO wit: To render them filter for the hu-
man stomach when served as food.
In no State, country or town has the
tying of calves held to be other than cruel
and unnecessary and dangerous to food
supply. All laws against cruelty cover
such cases, and the same is true as to inn
proper confinement of fowls. Congress
has passed stringent laws concerning
transportation OF cattle that ii may be
done humanely. In no part of our social
system has there been greater unity of
law and sentiment than upon the sub
jects referred to.
The California law covers these cases,
but the ordinance asked of the Super
visors is TO prevent litigation and annoy
ance, by defining the limits within which
the act of transportation will not be
deemed cruel. Thus, the State law de-
clares all cruelty to animals to be an Of
tense. This leaves 1t open to proof that
crowded fowls in an insult coop, and
calves tied by the four legs and carried in
wagon-bedS many miles, are cruelty
treated, and it necessitateS arrest and
trial, and hence annoyance to the citizen.
But the ordinance asked for gives sizes
OF transportation coopS, and declares that
If such are used 1t Is not cruel to carry
chickens and geese and turkeys III them.
1t declares that to tie fowls in punches,
and calves by the legs, is cruelty. So that
the ordinance points out how the trans
porters may avoid trouble, and thus saves
people and county from trouble and ex-
penditure.
All courts have held tying calves and
close cooping of fowls to be cruelty. Every
marketman in Sacramento says the same.
All the butchers, save a few who are not
vet enlightened upon the subject. | as
sumo, say so, and the leading butchers of
Sacramento agree with the Sacramento
County Humane Society as to that mat
ter and many are members ofthe society.
In no town or city of the East is it per-
mitted to bring calves into market tied.
Ia San Francisco such practice INDUCED
IN means arrest anu IlllS. Are the Super
yisors to array themselves against the
judgment of about all the States and
towns in the Union, and all Europe too,
where the practices aimed at in the ordi-
nance are forbidden? The City Trustees
have wisely passed the ordinance IF the
Supervisors refuse TO do likewise it will
simply compel the Humane Society to
arrest outside the city bounds those who
protect themselves behind the Super
visors' refusal, and put the county to the
expense of trials, for assuredly it must
cease. Calves may very easily be brought
to market alive in wagon beds on straw
without tying. There is no need to bring
them standing either. All that is asked
is that the helpless animal shall have free
use of its head, and not be fevered and
tortured by having Its four legs tied.
The Supervisors are humane men; their
lives prove them to be merciful and
kindly; will they be willing to go on
record in favor of cruel practices that not
one of them would be guilty OF, or per-
init their children to indulge in? I trust.
still, that the board will pass the ordi-
nance, and not put it over single day
longer. to the regret of the 200 members
of the Humane Society, who are labor
ing solely for public good and in line
with the best thought and experience OF
the age. DIRECTOR s. G. II. A.