The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-13
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
ASSUxL REPORr or President
WOOD, or THE =. y. q. A.
Recommendation Made TO Extend the
work-Forms ofiirutaiity With Wh'oh
the Organization Has TO Contend

The following Is tho annual report OF
President Jud. y. Wood, OF the society
for tho Prevention OF Cruelty to AMI
mails:
II has been observed since our organi-
zatlon that the general condition OF ami
mails in our city has steadily improved
and most healthful influence has gone
out into the surrounding country In their
behalf. Prosecution for cruelty is not
the main feature OF the society's work
for while IL seeks to punish by fine and
Imprisonment in jail all wilful maltreat-
ncnt of animals. yet by far the larger
number OF cases Is corrected by warn
ing and admontion.
You will see from the secrctary's re-
port that the number Of cases reported
Is go and the number OF animals IN
volved 1870
Full particulars I'm all cases are record
ed in the books of the society
The treasurer reports the receipts from
membership fees during the year were
$2c6 from contributions. Sl0l. total insOme
1861, which amount Is entirely inadequate
for the societys needs. A very large
percentage Of these receipts has been con-
be expected of them. as their work Is
done absolutely without compensation,
with the exception Of the agent. who IS
paid "a modest salary for his entire time.
TO EXTEND IT'S FIELD.
The society desires TO extend its field
of usefulness. and ought TO have for the
coming year not less than twelve hundred
dollars 1t is hoped that the Finance
Committee will formulate plans by which
10. frnr n
name people of Richmond.
/ am of opinion that 1t would be well
to change our charter 50 as to make Of
our organization a State Society This
would give US power 10 appoint agents in
the counties who would see that the law
Is enforced for the protection OF ami
mails. In many pOpulous centres local
societies have been formed. but in less
wealthy districts they cannot be ade-
quately supported, and hence there is
great opportunity in such places for good
work under the auspices of a central
body.
The great multitude OF worthless dogs
I'm the city is a source OF constant danger
10 the people. They attack and often
bite horses and persons. especially
bicycle riders. They annoy the sick and
In spring and summer roam the streets
I'm drovcs to the disgust of the citizens.
OF the 2Sj dogs humancly destroyed last
year by our society. many were suffering
from mango. eczema. and black tongue.
GET RID or THE DOGS.
Tho city I'm the last ten years has col
lected over thirty thousand dollars from
its license tax on dogs. and should have
a dog-pound TO be supported by this tax
which is now about $500 a year. This
sum goes into the treasury. and both pco-
pie and dogs suffer. II IS estimated that
there are at least ten thousand dogs in
the city and not over three thousand are
licensed | would recommend that our
society make an offer TO the city TO i'm
pound and destroy these unlicensed dogs.
Most OF them have no homes and are a
misery 20 themselves and a menace TO
the citizens.
1t would be a mercy 60 the dogs and a
blessing to tho people for them to be
painlessly destroyed.
At the first session Of the Legislature
some Of tne officers and friends of this
siciety succeeded in having passed a sta
tute for the punishment of cruelty to
children. We have attended to some
cases under this law and we are con-
WINGED that n would not be well for our
society TO undertake this work. Expc-
rience I'm other societies has shown that
when this Is done the one branch Of the
work prospers and the other languishes.
II is to be hoped that a society for that
especial purpose will be formed.
Tho suffering endured by cattle sheep.
calves and chickens. which are shipped
10 our market Is very great and could
occupy the entire time of another agent.
To the press. l would extend our warm
est thanks for the many favOrs rendered
and the excellent support they have given
us. our thanks are also due to the
veterinary surgeons and police, who have
at all times aided US most acceptably
in our work.
take pleasure I'm commencing our
agent. Mr.. Emmett c. Taylor who has
discharged his duty faithfully; also the
officers of the society and the executive
board for the energy, single heartedness
and ability which they have displayed
throughout the year.