Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-22
FRIENDS OF BEASTS.
RsTlsV Of the Years Work Of the 5. P.
c. A. In Richmond.
DIR. WOODS ANIMAL REPORT
He Deals With what Has Been
Done, and Suggcsts How Greater
benefits Mny he securcd-Tbe Sec
retnry's Figures.

Inc annual lnCtNAtt VI Wv
Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty 10
Animals was held Friday afternoon. The
reports submitted by President Jud. y.
Wood and Secretary William G. Owens
showed that this splendid organisation Is
In fine condition. and mas done great good
In the community. and the noble band oil
men and wosnen who compose the society
are due uns,intcd praise FOR the excellent
work thcy have accomplished. The society
Is now in the fourth year Of its existence
and the growth during this time has been
steady and rapid, and of a most healthful
nature. Its influence has extended to
many parts of the State, but Richmond
has reaped the greater portion Of It's good
work.
The following report of the president ~
a paper containing valuable Information
and should be read with interest by every
one who feels an interest IL the welfare
OF dumb creatures. DR.. Wood says:
1T must he borne in mind that prose
cution for cruelty Is not the main feature
of the society's work Our mission mas
been TO protect and educate. not prose-
cute and with these ends In view by iaI
the largest number Of cases Of abuse and
matreatment of animals were disposed
Of by warning the offenders against rep
clifton. We suspend disabled animals
from work alleviate the sufferings OF
others accidentally injured or taken sick
In the streets. and humanely dispose OF
those hurt or diseased beyond recovery.
THEIR CONDITION IMPROVED.
eft has been noticed since our organi-
cation that the condition Of animals IN
the city has steadily improved, and
most healthful influence has gone out into
the surrounding country In their behalf
and the result is that animals are much
more kindly treated. better Sheltered ana
fed than ever IN the past Prior 10 the
organization OF our society II was an eX-
ceptlon 70 find a horse covered with
blanket in cold or inclement weather. or
TO find any one 10 interpose In his behalf
when cruelty treated. Blankets and rub
her protectors were comparatively unused
Now you can find them in the stores so
well and cheaply made that no man VINO
has regard for his beast Is found without
them.
III ideas Of humanity and quick recogni-
ton Of the rights OF all Gods creatures
could come TO pervade the minds and
hearts Of all then there would be no need
Of societies such as ours Unfortunately,
such Is not the case. for We see in the
streets Of our city the doleful procession
OF overworked and underfed animals,
brutal and reckless drivers and the ever
falling whip. God gave dominion over
other creatures with commands to be just.
merclful, and kind, and on no other terms.
has man any right TO their toll or service.
Life implies rights All creatures belong
to God. and disregard Of their rights is
an offence TO Him. True Christianity re-
cognlzes this fact and the spirit Of cruel
" Is the deadliest enemy to high civiii-
cation. The best and most lasting remedy
IL k.stv mo o. "a
with the children in our homes ano
schools Whether man be heartless or
humane LARGELY depends on the lessons OF
his early childhood
WORK OF THE SOCIETY.
at should be our aim 20 distribute
humane literature and establish Bands
of Mercy in all the schools OF the city
white and black. The object Of these
bands will be TO encourage in every pos
slble way generous and merciful deeds;
TO protect every suffering human being
as well as the speechless ones Of the
lower orders. the only pledge being. i
will try 10 be kind to all harmless crea-
lures. and try to protect them
from crue, usage
During the year iust closed, the So
ciety has been called upon to irterpose
its moral and corrective force In large
number OF cases. and is now recognized
and earnest factor in elevating man I'm
the protection of dumb creatures. You
Will see from the secretary's report that
the number Of cases reported was 137:
number Of animals involved about 100
The full particulars in all cases arc re-
cort-sd in the books OF the society so
that the facts of every case OF cruelty.
and every legal opinion or judicial decis-
ion connected Herewith can be found
at a moments notice. which Is very valu-
able In the daily transactions OF the
society
So many small animals have to be
destroyed annually by the agent that
we have adopted and put in place q
zinc-iined box. recommended to US by
Mr. John p. Haines. president of the
American Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty to Animals. with headquarters In
New York. for this purpose The gas
from the city main Is turned In. and I'm
about one minute the animal is dead
without struggle. noise. or other evil
dence. but that II was painless death.
Not infrequently we are called upon to
dispose OF household pets and wornout,
diseased. and dangerous animals. OF
course this Is done without charge
COOPERATION OF THE POLICE.
We have only one agent on the street
when we could profltably employ two. II
the Police Board would assign enc off,
Ger TO give his whole time TO the pre-
vention OF cruelty TO children and ami
mails, and the taking up OF unlicensed
dogs that roam our streets. II would be
good work. The police force have
heartily co-operated with US. and during
the year have accomplished great good
in checking exhibitions OF open cruelty
] would suggest that we offer a gold
medal 20 the policeman, who at the
close of the year, should be able to show
the best record OF having prevented or
stopped cruelty to anmals-the Chief to
decide
Owing 10 the lack of means OF escape
from burning buildings many horses
have been suffocated or burned TO death
during the past II Is 10 he hoped that
IN the future owners OF stables will
make the exits therefrom ample and easy
Much has been done by US to induce
owners 10 have tetter ventilation by slat-
doors. etc, for the comfort OF their ami
mails In summer. / would recommend
that during the year we have a few
lectures for the benefit OF drivers The
desirabiity OF such lectures must be
evident 20 every one who has rotlced
the injury. abuse. and suffering resulting
20 horses from carelessness and igrrrance
OF their drivers: also lectures from some
OF our veterinarians on scientific shoe!ng
The uneven or Improper shoeing OF
horses causes more pain than CALLED
shoulder or back. besides ruinirg his
legs.
THE FUNDS INSUFFICIENT.
''You will see from the treasurer's re-
port that the receipts from membership
fees were 1909 and from contributions
800 / consider the above sum OF
money entirely inadequate 10 carry on
the work. The impartial and successful