Evening star., 1897-02-17
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
Herdic and Street Car Horses Are OBJ
jects of sympathy Nowadays.

T" the Editor of The Evening Star:
1t would be we'll if the Washington HUI
name Society adopted the practice followed
in many cities of sending, at least once a
week, a man, two ladies', members of
the society, to the stables of the various
public conveyance companies to inspect the
condition of their horses or mules. One
cannot accomplish this by an occasional
ride in herdic or car run from any certain
point of observation in the streets. The
animals should be carefully examined in
their stalls 4 lame horse is often taken
out after rest starting in fairly good con-
dition. but soon showing signs of merely
temporary improvement, and a slight lame
ness becomes a serious injury. Intelligent
examination would prevent such a result.
A self-constituted member of all humane
societies, residing In Washington for the
winter, l took advantage last week of
spare afternoon, and haiiing a Pennsylva-
MIA avenue herdic rode to the terminus of
the route. The condition of the horses
drawing the heavily loaded omnibus was
deplorable. One was evidently suffering
intense pain, caused by a swelling one
hind leg. Although bitterly cold day, the
exhausted creature was dripping with
sweat, and ii seemed doubtful whether he
would reach the stables. He made a brave
effort under the constant lash of the driver
to do his share of work, but always fell
back, leaving double duty 10 his mate, who
struggled or. trying to relieve the poor sick
horse. Al the stable. released from his
harness, the suffering animal limped feebly
out of sight. / told the driver that the
horse must not be driven until fully recov-
cred from lameneSs, and | said much to
possible boss who came to the herdc
door to demand explanation OF my com
plant He seemed astonished at my au-
dacity, and said he had not noticed that
the horse was not all right" A stupid con-
fession of his utter incompetence for the
la a he sf.alt los n t-
but a common daily experience of hundreds
Of people. and they see these acts of cruel
ty to animals, lament the unkindness of
their masters and when requested to re-
port these instances to the society, reply,
I'VE do not care to appear in the police
courts They are not required to appear
in police court. BY inquiry a person can
ascertain exactly what course should be
taken.
trust this letter may not be devoid of
good results. All over the country the
Washington Humane Society is known to
be the embodiment of energy and perse-
verance 1t is known that its recon
mendations" are in reality laws that are
not to be violated without the consequent
penalty or fine it Is its right and intention
to exact. SIBYL WORTHINGTON.
Suggestion.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
Would 1t not be good suggestion for
the Humane Society to apply the proceeds
OF the recent concert to engage a competent
attorney to prosecute all street-car lines
operated by horses in the city of Washing
ton who violate the law in their use of
live stock? Without an exception, animal
life with these companies does not receive
the least consideration. The tortures these
poor horses are exposed to ana the unmer-
ciful treatment they receive from the
drivers in bad weather, when all the cars
are packed and overcrowded with people, ARE
literally inhuman. But street-car compan-
les seem to have all privileges, including
the one cf cruelty to animals.
NJ. E. Won WIMPFFEN.