The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-21
DOG SENTENCED no DEATH.
Judge MurDhy's Unique Method OF
DispOsing of a Vicious Canine.

Judge Murphy's Unique Method OF
DisDOsing of a Vicious Canine.
From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.
Judge Murphy is nothing II not unique.
and his court is nothing II not sensational.
Yesterday he added another link to the
long chain of distinctively original decis-
ions which the court of criminal correction
is famous for when he sentenced a dog TO
death. The condemned canine is valuable
mastiff, owned by G.. 5. Johnson, of 47O9
St. Louis avenue. The date of the execu-
ton was set for to-day, and the time be-
tween the hours of o'clock in the morn
ing and u o'clock noon. City Harshall
Renstadler was ordered to ofiiciate at the
execution, and he was Instructed TO have
present at the killing as many deputy
marshals as he thought were necessary to
successfully carry out the decree of the
court. The mastiff was to be sent to that
bourne whence no canine returneth via the
revolver route, and got more than three
bullets were 10 be Ned into the dogs
anatomy.
No death warrant was to be read, no
death watch" placed over the condemned
last hours, no spiritual adviser requested
to be present. The death warrant merely
required that the marshal was To repair
to the home of Mr.. johnson, take possess
sion of the mastiff and while the bells
were ringing out their call of worshippers
to church, shoot the animal TO death. Costs
of the execution-about Severe, accord
ing TO the courts order, to be collected
by the marshal from the owner Of the
dog. rfseJ
This was the first time In the history
of the court OF CRIMINAL correction that the
death sentence had over been passed from
its bench, and even though only the life
OF a dog was at stake the proceeding
created no end OF interest However, az
ter sentence had been passed stay OF
execution was granted for few days, as
Mr. johnson, through his attorney, filed
a motion for a new trial The condemned
dogs case is an interesting one. Several
days ago Joseph j. Ward. who resides at
30l6 Lula avenue, caused a police sum-
mons 70 be issued against MIR. Johnson,
charging him with owning a vicious dog.
Mr.. Ward told Assistant City Attorney
Meigs that Mr.. Johnson dog had bitten
him while he was passing the corner OF
Marcus and st. Louis avenues.
When the case was called before Judge
Peabody Mr. Ward had witnesses who live
near Mr. johnson 20 testify that the dog
had not only bitten him, but several other
people also. Notwithstanding this evidence
Judge Peabody discharged the defendant
This disposition OF the case caused City
Attorney Glover 20 appeal Il 10 Judge Muir
phys court. The trial was set for yester-
day. When the case was called In the af-
tornoon the court room was crowded with
people living near Mr.. johnson. All were
anxious 20 see what would be done In the
matter, as some of them had dogs Of their
own The same evidence that had been
submitted to Judge Peabody was given.
Judge Murphy shrugged his shoulders
when he read section Il, lS8 OF the city ordi-
nances az the conclusion Of the case. and
said.
II fnd defendant guilty as charged and
will fine him SO and costs. And further
more. section 7,isS OF the city ordinances,
which relates to vicious dogs, says that
ali such dogs may be ordered shot by "A
police Judge u In his opinion they are la
bio 20 injuro any one. In my opinion this
dog owned by defendant should be killed;
1 accordingly sentence the dog TO death,
said order OF court 20 be carried out by the
city marshal, and 70 take place az any
time before " o'clock, noon. tomorrow.
The costs OF the execution viii be charg-
ed 10 defendant"
when the Judge hnished his remarks
every one Ia the court room laughed.
Even Mrs. johnson. whose dogs life was
in question. smiled ana Il was necessary
for the deputy sheriff 10 rap several times
for order before quiet was restored
Mr.. Johnaon'e attorney then announced
20 the court that he would hle a motion for
n new trial
We'll IN that event" said the Judge. a.
he smiled, execution will be stayed until
the question Of a new trial Is settled"