The record-union., 1894-01-09
OUR DUMB ANIMALS.
How They Are Treated in This and
Other Countries.


From the Santa Barbara independently
Being dumb, or what amounts to the
same thing, being incapable of express
ing themselves to us intelligently, would
necessarily be an appeal to our better
feelings, and call for great consideration
on our part to treat them kindly. In
many countries this trait OF kindly con-
sideration is very apparent, and the Ger
man saying daS ie0e Vieh the dear ami
mals) is not shallow phrase with them.
The horse, the OK, ass and even dog
canine Germanicus-used on farm or
road, hitched to implement or vehicle, is
hardly ever urged beyond his capabili-
tiles; nay, to tighten the load the driver
will observe with due caution the condl-
ton of the way, will never add to the
burden by his weight, and will only ride
when the road is level or the grade down.
ward.
The Bulgarian. Roumanian and all the
Turks are kindly considerate to their
animals: their buffels hitched TO wooden
plows or primitive wagons, enjoy go-as-
you-please existence; be the weather hot,
and the animals suffering on account,
the Turk will, good naturedly, unhitca
them to take a dive IN the neighboring
river to refresh again.
The Northmen are very considerate
with their reindeer, and will see to their
comfort in preference to their own. The
Tartar upon the Steppes depends upon
his team of dogs, and though. they must
sleep on or under the snow, their bellies
are filled with food that keeps them
warm. The American Indian or early
trapper were never known to whip their
ponies, and the care they took Of those
four-footed friends denoted that their
lives depended upon tlieir well being.
We have been there, and we were con-
stantly watchiul that our animals back
should not chafe; in the cold blast we
have covered our shivering pony with the
blanket, and preferred his comfort TO
ours. When for the want Of feed the
poor beast could go no farther, we have
carried the pack and saddle ourselves,
urged him TO shelter and searched the
mountains for bunchgrass TO brace him
up for the next day.
Thus of a necessity kindness to ami
mails prevails in the wilderness, because
ones life depends upon their well-being,
and cruelty terminating in impotency or
death to the animal SO frequently met
with in the civilized world, would re-
bound upon oneself. We dare say cruelty
to the dumb beast is seen more here in
Southern California than any other place
in the world; no matter what may be the
cause our native California contingent
can intiict more pain, and destroy the
horse-more than the most civilized men
of the world. We say civilized, because
racing, to push the horse beyond his
power, such as was recently done in the
Austrian army, is cruelty most damnable.
Our CalifornianS are, as rule, very
unkind to the horse: gentleness is evil
IDENTIFY an unknown quality with them,
hence the average riding or draft-hOrse
trained by them expresses on every occa-
sion an aversion for his master; he will
snort in anger or fright at his approach,
and whenever he gains his liberty he i'm
mediately becomes the native bronco
again. The lasso must do its cruel work
again, and the Observation-Disclosures to
countries inhabited by MeXicans-and
baking Of the horse must be beaten out
of him with overwork and starvation.
But the Californians are not the only
cruel people to the animals; they have
plenty OF imitators among the Ameri-
cans, and, strange to say, the farmer who
raises the animals and should on that ac-
count become attached to them, is fire.
Quently the most culpable-not through
viciousness, but through neglect. We
noted an instance last winter where
number of horses were left in barren
pasture and perished from neglect and
starvation. 1t was damnable neglect to
leave the poor beasts in that condition,
since there was plenty of feed and shelter
handy enough to save them. The poor,
dumb animals could not cry for help,
hence they perished in silence.
How human being can be cruel to a
domestic animal is inconceivable to us,
because the very fact that they cannot
tell their woes or wants ought to be suffi-