The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-30
HELP FOR BALTIMORE DoGs.
Ths women or tho City Are Taking steps 70
Protect Them from Cruel Dog Catchers-

The women OF tho City Arc T0ktuG steps to
Protect Them from Cruel Dog Catchers-
1t appears that all the dogs in Baltimore are
going to have their day at the same time and
that 1t Is coming very soon. Heretofore the
canine population of that city has had a very
hard time Of it. and the women intend to put q
stop to this state OF affairs II they can. Under
the present dog law it makes no difference
whether 1t is a bowling swell in dogdom or only
a tramp. the treatment that the dog is liable to
receive is nothing short OF cruel, or at least
that is what the women say.
According to the Baltimore Sun, q delegation
Of six women. representing the Maryland Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
swooped down on the Council on
Police and Jail. Before making the visit they
had submitted to the committee an ordinance.
delegating to the society the ctty's control Of
dogs. 1t was learned that the Councilmen were
not disposed to favor the ordinance, and hence
the personal appeal. The delegation consisted
of Miss Mary B. shearer. Mrs. William Reed.
Mrs. r. Dorsey Coale. Mrs. Walter Prescott
Smith. Miss Emma Needles. and Miss Hanway.
Miss Shearer was s~pokeswoman, and she spoke
strongly because she felt strongly, having been
devoted to dogs all her life. First she reminded
her hearers Of the outrages committed by the
negroes, who are licensed under the present dog
law to go around In the summer months and
catch dogs.
"I am perfectly sure. she went on, that a
certain number OF people in Baltimore. largely
negroes. encourage the propagation OF tramp
dogs, solely for the purpose Of selling them az
10 bow se ths d daSh p 20 ihf G Witch ah IS IN men s disE Feeesifd
condition.. was broken into last summer and Il
large number OF dogs set free that they might
be caught a gain and sold anew to the city. Miss
Shearer said further that the delegation repre-
sented not only the women's branch of the So
ciety, but also a large number Of women who
are Interested in the proper care OF dogs, but
are not able TO pay the annual dues OF the So
ciety out Of their earnings as bread winners.
Our idea is simply this" she continued;
danger to be expected from dogs in n large city;
that they are the dogs to he removed; that they
dogs OF people who care for dogs should be prop.
erly projected from savage treatment by brutal
dog catchers. The present system does nothing
10 protect the people who properly care for dogs.
Now we propose to remedy matters by impos-
ing a yearly tax. not a yearly license. mark you.
The city This measure is not for the beneat OF
the rich, or any, class, but the large class which
The women want authority and an appropria-
ton for one year, and promise that II at tho end
OF that time they have not shown their fitness TO
yeFy meek and humble They propose to en-.
ploy men TO catch dogs in a humane way.
The Councilmen expressed themselves as being
much pleased with the plan and said that they
would refer the ordinance 10 the city lawyers.
In case IL is possible for them 10 give the women
the power, they have promised TO pass the meas
The ordinance authorizes tho Society for tho
Prevention OF Cruelty TO Animals TO issue the
OF Sc annually, and to seize and dispose OF un-
licensed dogs II not redeemed within forty
eight hours. Redeeming dogs will cost 80 each.
ordinance is TO be paid to the society 10 be used
In carrying out the ordinance. and in addition a
The society viii make nothing out Of it, for in
case the taxes exceed the, expenses the surplus
will be turned into the public treasury.