New-York tribune., 1896-05-25
SURPLUS CATS AND DOGS.
HOW THE S. P. c. A. RIDS THE COM
MUNITY OF SOME OF THEM.

MUNITY OF SOME OF THEM.
IT ALSO HAS A CARE FOR LIVING ANIMALs-A
ROUGH CENSUS OF THE CANINE AND
FELINE POPULATION OF THIS
CITY AND BROOKLYN.
Public interest IN the work OF the American So
cety for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals has
been stirred up from time to time by publications
concerning It, various activities. The destruction
OF homeless cats has been brought to especial no.
tice recently. Since the death OF Henry Bergh much
progress has been made under the management OF
John p. Haines the president. who has been ac-
lively identified with the society for twenty years,
and Captain Charles II Hanknson. who has been
its superintendent for twenty-five years
Mr. Haines formerly connected with the dry
goods firm OF Hasted. Haines & Co. In which his
father a partner. He vice-president or the
society until 1891, when ne became president in the
place of Henry Bergh. jr., who had succeeded his
father Mr.. Haines devotes his entire time to the
duties of his office without compensation. and Is
liberal contributor to its treasury Captain Han
kinson. who Is q veteran of the Union Army. was
formerly member OF the old Volunteer Fire De-
partment and was AdJutant of the sith Regiment
n. c., s. ~ Y, for several years before
its disbandment in 1888 He IS alert and fearless
as he had need to be when raidng cockfghts, dog
fights and rafting matches. which have been prac-
tcally abolished under his administration.
WIDE SCOPE OF THE SOCIETY'S WORK.
Under the law by which the society was incor-
porated in 1865 the term animal Is construed to
mean every living creature except human beings. so
that the scope of It's operations is most compre-
henslve. including the protection OF creatures rang
Ing in size from p mouse to a hppopotamus or ele-
phant 1t Is impossible to enumerate the many DIFF
ferent kinds OF cruelty with which the society has
TO deal. They include the wrnging OF canary
birds neck for against Its owner; the set
ting fire to rat afte" having saturated 1t with
kerosene oil. and the brutal beating ana nendish
mutilatlon OF horses.
The prevention of cruelty TO horses Is the most
important work OF the society, although II has
done much for the relief Of cows In swill-mk
stables These stables have virtually been abol-
ished and an improved quality of milk Is thereby
secured for public consumption. The protection OF
horses is carried throughout the State. and ex-
tends TO a thorough annual inspection OF the tow
horses on the canals In carrying out its work the
society has twelve uniformed officers in this city
and three in Brooklyn, beside $50 ununiformed
special officers scattered over the State.
The ambulance service for horses has been greatly
improved There three ambuances. which
are kept in readiness for immediate use at the So
cietys ambulance building, No. Ill East Twenty
secOnd-st. where there is also floor with large
number Of kennels for the temporary accommo-
dation Of small animals awaiting removal TO the
animal shelter at the foot OF East One-hundred-
a
President Haines placed in service week or
two ago 1t ia provided with every conceivable
convenience for transporting injured horses to
veterinary hospitals II has heavy hair mattresses
for the horses to lie upon. Its sides are padded
with hair cushions and It is provided with awnings
and shades for protection against sun and storm.
recent useful addition to the societys appliances
is an animal lfe-saving derrick for the rescue OF
horses which have fallen overheard or into ex-
cavations.
TIE CARE OF DOGS AND CATS.
Prior to 1894 the licensing OF dogs was intrusted
10 the Mayors Marshal. and cats were gnom'nious-
~ ignored. Cross-eyed and broken -nosed Tam
many "heelers' well-nigh worried the life out OF
district leaders for "applntmint" a dog-catcher.
Through the efforts OF President Haines, law was
passed changing the entire system.
Under the old law the Mayors Marshal issued
licenses for dogs at IS each. and every dog had to
wear a tag and 90 In leading strings or wear a
May l. 1894. provided that for license fes 81 -
any dog. big or little, might roam at VIII Wl.nous
a collar with a metal tag bearing the number OF his
license. Under the new law the cat, whicn haj
ppariaR 10 be osracized at the bootacs point
recognized being entitled to even greater priv
cats without licenses might reyel In front area, on
hacony in BACKYARD % or on fence pScr neck
inscribed with their owners name and place OF resi-
dence In default Of this, they should be liaple 10
For the execution OF the dog and cat law the So
cetv employs sixteen catchers and drivers, VINO
wear drab BEDFORD cord, talor-made uniforms WIN
military fatigue caps. and go about summer ana
which five are in this city and TWO IN Brooklyn
These wagons are comfortably fitted up ana are
surplied with water and food for the captves The
animal shelters at the foot of East One-hun-
drei- nd -seconi-st, In this city, ana AT NosUahu
ave and Malbone-st.. In Brooklyn.
THE NUMBER OF LICENSES AND CAPTURES
Since the new law became operative. licenses have
been issued for 20.Oo) dogs. and 5000 nave peen
captured and destroyed in this city and Brooklyn
II was estimated at the outset that there were
about 40 90 dogs this city. and Notwithstanding
Their extensive destruction their natural increase is
90 rapd that Il is believed that there still fully
~ coo that have evaded the industrious doGcatcheis
of homeless cats 5000 have been captured and de-
stroyed but there are supposed TO De, IN tnis cLy
and RrOOklyn about 0OGO. which Is the nunnDeE
estimated by the society officers 10 have been IN
existence when the law went into operation.
society by children who find them In the streets
ANY person who has disabled cat or dog, or one
of which they wish 10 get rid, has only 10 scnu u
postal card 10 the headquarters OF the society az
No 10 East Twenty ysecOnd-st In response 70 wniGn
the disabled or obnoxious animal VIII De prompuy
removed by agents OF the society: . -,
The dogs and cats captured are kept at tne she.-
ters at least forty-elght hours before peing ue-
sroyed and during this time their owners II they
hays anv may redeem them on payment OF zee
nf sS each the dogs and cats being rated alike for
redemptory purposes. Most OF the animals Deihs
worthless grants. few have been saved The H.
strument OF destruction consists or gas tailh,
which has room for about eighty animals W men IL
mon everyday Illuminating gas does the res, lata-
10 osnhvxIatng the victims in twelve seconds