The evening times., 1899-12-22
TRAMP Dogs TO BLAME
The Secretary of Agriculture Dis
ecusses the Rabies Scare.
He Presents Evidence to Show That
Maryland Are More to be Feared
Than the Well-Fed Pets of WASH
ington-PromiuentC Citizens Views.

ers, dated December 13 relative TO rabies
in the District of Columbia, it is plainly
evident that the Secretary apprehends
more danger from tramp dogs that wander
from Virginia and Maryland into the Dis
trict than he does from the well-cared-for
dogs that are permitted TO exist in this city
by virtue of licenses. He refers to positive
evidence the department has of the preva-
lence Of rabies in Fairfax and Alexandria
counties in Virginia, and Montgomery and
Prince George counties in Maryland.
4 number of prominent men who are au-
thorities on canine matters have expressed
their opinion in The Times that by the ex-
clusion of tramp dogs from the city rabies
viii cease to exist or be reduced to 4 mini
mum. These citizens say that they "a
gard the official letter of the Secretary of
Agriculture as an endorsement of their
views. And they reiterate their state
ments that the muzZling OF dogs will not
prevent the spread of rabies so long as
tramp dogs are permitted to invade the
streets in the District.
The official report of the Poundmaster
of the District to the Health Officer indi-
Gates that he has been stirred up 10 some
activity. but, men who profess TO have
knowledge of what is being done, say that
the Poundmaster's force should be greatly
increased and that his efforts 10 capture
stray dogs should be redoubled.
The report indicates that since July l,
1899, the Poundmaster has captured dogs
US follows: July. 135; August, 67s; Septem-
ber. 626; October. 4s6: November, 1896. and
TO December IL. inclusive. 6S2.
The total number of licenses issued for
Gogs s!..ct Ju.. o., iS:'5, a. .,vo:'. OF the
entire year. ended June 80. 1893, there We
but 1888 licenses granted.
The letter from the Secretary of Agri-
culture read as follows:
Il have the homer 10 4" knowledge the re-
ceipt OF your letter of the 18th inst, with
reference to the order of this department
concerning the existence of rabies. or hy-
drophobia and the measures for its con-
troll
"As to the existence of the disease in the
District OF Columbia, Ude evidence Of this
Department is based upon tess made IN
the laboratory of the Bureau of Animal
Industry. which have shown the following
undcubted cases OF rabies in dogs during
the year 1899:
January 9, /; March 16, /; April Is. l;
May 20. /: August 80, l: October q, /; Oc-
tober 80, l. November ., /: November 1, /;
November 10. l. November IL. /: November
2g, L. December 9, ..
AS rabies is strictly contagious dis
ease and does not develop except as con-
sequence of incubation from a pre-eXist-
ing case of the disease. ii is evident that
the contagion has constantly existed in this
vicinity at least since October "a and the
increasing number of cases which have
been brought to this department for ex-
animation indicates the extension OF this
contagion. The department has also re-
ceived Information. which ii considers re-
liable of number CT eases Of rabies in
Montgomery and Prince George counties,
Md. and in Alexandria and Fairfax coun-
ties. Va. 1t is also reported that a num-
Der Of persons have recently been bitten
by rabid dogs in the Dis trict and under
these circumstances il was deemed wise TO
issue an order giving notification of the
existence of the disease and making regu-
lations TO prevent its being carried from
Maryland AMI Virginia into the District of
Columbia and from the District into these
States. as Authorized under the act of Con-
gress approved May %. 1884.
Your kind offer to cooperate with the
department is fully appreciated, and l take
pleasure in sending you some copies Of the
order and would request that the Police
Department be instructed TO give notifica-
tion TO persons coming into the District
from Maryland and Virginia with dogs of
the existence of the order and the require
ment that such dogs should be securely
muzzled when upon the streets or in any
l
the District Poundmaster be instructed 10
give special attention 10 dogs brought into
the District, and that in case of violation
of the departments regulation The animals
be seized. II has not yet been decided to
be necessary for this department 10 equip
a force with appliances for seizing dogs
brought into the District, and il would
probably he better for this 10 be done by
the District Poundmaster,-Th The department
IN ma 10 n fttrf h.4r n
vestigation TO determine the source of the +
disease in the adjoining counties. and will,
II possible, arrange for cooperation with
the authorities of the States of Maryland
aud Virginia to overcome the evil.
THE increased number of cases OF rabies !
in dogs which has recently developed, and |
the danger of persons, especially children,
being bitten upon the streets, are, il ap- |
pears TO me, sufficient reasons for active |
measures 10 arrest the propagation of the |
oontagion.
Again thanking you for your offer 10
render assistance, and assuring you that
this department is ready to take any steps
within its Jurisdiction that may be indicated
for the eradication of this disease.'
The matter is not one of very great
Importance said a Western Representa-
tive today. but think it is an open ques-
ton whether the District authorities have
pei their owners to so treat them In mid
winter as TO make the ownership a nuis-
ance TO both the owners and the dogs.
The District Commissioners have ap-
pesred to me for q long time to be a
set Of old women. who not having enough
legitimate business to occupy their minds.
find II necessary to fuss with details which
should be relegated to their subordinates
No one seriously believes that December
is month In which people should look
for an outbreak of rabies
Whatever danger there is to the Washing
ton population comes from the stray dog
animals whose owners, if they have any,
pay no tax or license for them, and which
are permitted TO roam free about the city.
These animals should be impounded and
then the difficulty will be at an end.
The license fee is So which is the
price of a dog tag, to allow a citizen to
keep his dog in peace and to permit him
10 give him a proper amount of exercise.
y grown dog likes, or is accustomed to
being led about by a chain, and some Of
the scenes that | witnessed on the street
Yesterday and this morning of toy terriers,
King Charles spanieis. and small fox ter
rers running about encased in muzzles,
which in some instances were bigger than
The dogs can only tend to make the ordi-
nance ridiculous.
Il may say in all sincerity that / have
YET to understand the authority of the Dis
trict Commissioners to make this ordI-
nance. II these three gentlemen are not
only the executive but the legislative body