Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-26
Order to Enforce Proclamation Re-
specting Dogs at Large.
PURSUANT TO An ACT OF CONGRESS
No Longer Reason for Delay in
Executing Law
POUNDMASTER KEPT BUSY

The District poundmaster was today di-
rected by the Commissioners to commence
tomorrow to enforce the proclamation is
sued by them several days ago requiring
all dogs when running at large in the Dis
trict to wear during the ensuing six months
substantial muZzle, so secured as to pre-
vent the animals from biting or swapping
As has been heretofore explained in The
Star, the Commissioners instructed the
poundmaster, in view of the fact that there
was at the time the proclamation was is
sued, the 10th instant, but a limited num-
Der of muzzles in the city, not to enforce
its provisions until the supply had been in
creased to such an extent as to permit own
ers of dogs no excuse for not obtaining
them. The Commissioners have been in
formed that there is large supply of muz-
zles on hand here now, and they, theref fore
determined today that commencing with
tomorrow all dogs found without them
when running at large shall be impounded
The Act of Congress.
The proclamation of the Commissioners
was issued pursuant to the provisions of
section of the act of Congress approved
June IL, 1878, which reads as follows:
Whenever it shall be made to appear
to the Commissioners that there are good
reasons for believing that any dog or dogs
within the District are mad it shall be the
duty of the Commissioners to issue a proc
lamation requiring that all dogs SHALL for
period to be defined in the proclamation
wear good. substantial muZzles, securely
put on. so as to prevent them from biting
or swapping; and any dog going at large
during the period defined by the Commls-
Stoners without such muzzle sball be taken
up by the poundmaster and impounded
subject to the provisions of section 81
From this IL will be observed that the
law SlFeS the Commissioners no discretion
IN the matter, making it mandatory upon
them to issue such proclamation when it
snail be made to appear to them that there
are good reasons for believing that mad
dogs exist in the District. The Commits
Sioners before the issuance of the procla-
nation, were officially informed by the Sec
rotary OF Agriculture, and also by the
health officer of the District, that rabies
IN dogs does exist here. Therefore, they
concluded that there was nothing left far
them to Go but to issue the procla nation; in
which they We're sustained by their attor-
ney.
The records of the District health de-
partment which run back ONLY about TWEEN
ty-hve years show that during such period
there have been four deaths from hydro
phobia here. In 1874 a white man and d
white woman died from this disease; In
lS''J q white woman, and in 1897 a white
man. 1t will be observed that in each of
these four cases the deceased was white
person.
exceptions Made.
The Commissioners desire it understood
that where a dog is secured by a chain
cord or strap. held in the hand of the per
son in charge Of the animal, it will not be
considered as being at large, and no dog
so secured will be required to wear a rnuz-
ztt. The animal must at all times be so
held when taken out upon the street or
road. and if released if only temporariIv
Will be subject to capture, If found with
out the required muzze. The law also re-
quires every dog, whether muzzled or not
TO wear when taken out upon the streets
or roads, a collar and tag, being subject
70 seizure when found without them.
All captured dogs will be impounded, and
by the provisions of section ) of the act
OF 1873 will be sold or destroyed at the eX-
p!ration of forty-eight hours, If not sooner
redeemed. No dog will be surrendered to
any person except upon the payment of u
fee Of s.. the Commissioners having d.
rected the poundmaster to enforce this pro-
vision of the law in every instance, and
not to surrender a captured dog even upon
the production of the license or tag Since
the poundmaster's force was strengthened
about two weeks ago by the addition of
three teams he has captured an average of
about one hundred dogs day, a great ma
Jority of the animals being destroyed by
him, thereby showing, the Commissioners
believe, that most of them We're tramp
dogs