The San Francisco call., 1899-05-19
CRUELTY WAS DISCUSSED
PRAISE FOR THE WAY HOUNDS
KILL THE DUMMIES.
Two Congressman, Mayor, a Lazy
Lawyer and Prince Become
Members of the Or
ganization.

The subject of whether or not the So
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals should take a hand to prevent
coursing in the parks in and near lhls
city was literally discussed yesterday at
a meeting of the board of directors OF tne
organization. While no decision was act
ually taken the prevailing opinion seemed
to be In favor of the advocates OF cou1s-
ing. The question was brought up py the
receipt of a communication from lne
coursng clubs of the lower counties ask
ing that the board rescind its reso-
luton of two years ago which authorize
Secretary Holbrook to stop anything Dor
derng upon cruelty in the coursing parks.
Some of the coursing men had learned
that the matter was to be discussed ana
William Halpin and H. A. Deckelman ap-
peared to represent the sport
The latter made a pointed plea in the
cause which he represented. He called
attention to the methods employed IN the
big rabbit drives in the San JOAQUIN Val Val
lev and said that the cruelty Of the men
on these occasions is manifest TO all: Inc
well-conducted coursing park eliminates
all of the cruel features. The MOUNDS are
trained to kill their game instantly ana,
what is more, this same training gives
them experience for killing the mares on
the plains in a more humane manner than
the human hunters who participate IN the
big drives. According to his estipate
about 5000 hares are killed in ch[park
every year. In all parts OF this STATE
these animals are regarded as pests, the
same as in Australia.
The question of the effect of the sport
upon the people was discussed, some ar
guing that 1t tends to make the young Ia
miliar with brutal scenes and less sensl-
tive to the suffering of animals. DR.. Clin-
ton said that his objection to the sport
was the gambling feature, hs Wnlcn nf lSaGs Sa1S
esty Colonel Jackson stated that if the
manner of killing hares is cruel he would
not favor coursing, but from all that Am ne
the instant they are "struck" by the
hounds He regards the hare as a pest
and that it should be exterminated. While
he does not favor the gambling feature
still he said that he cannot forget that
every hare killed, wherever 1t may be,
is one less pest in the State. Ofhcer
Hooper. who attends all of the coursing
matches, said that the killing of the hares
by the hounds is not cruel death result
ing quickly when the hare is caught. Di-
rector Hyde also is anything out ITlena 40
of the rabbit and he called attention TO
the fact that the societys mission is not
to make a crusade against the vice OF
gambling but to preventd al an1aIS bn b ITen nieu
of the board and the decision was to keep
It's hands off all features not provided for
in its declared principles. However, the
whole board will visit the parks at some
convenient time and determine as to the
amount of cruelty involved in the hounds
killing the hares.
to the members of the board to elect,
number of applicants of eminence IN the
political, business and social world.
Among them is Mayor Phelan, who be
came a life member. Con~ressman ): u.
Mcguire Congressman Julius Kahn, Mrs.
Clara Foltz and Prince w. Poniatowski,
all of whom have taken the obligation to
do everything in their power to protect
dumb animals.
The monthly report of Secretary c. B.
Holbrook was as follows:
Number of cases reported, 1Se investigated,
1Ss, prosecuted. 16; animals taken from work,
1877: animals involved, 1886; animals relieved,
232; sick and disabled animals killed, 25 The
following were elected members: Mayor James
d. Phelan 0fe member, Hon. j. G. Maguire'
Clara Foltz George r. Morgan, o. II. Steven
son, P Gordan. julius S. Gudeau, Mrs. A.
Leavtt Herman G. Stindt. Mrs. Amy Waters
Deane, Mrs. Kate Waters, Miss NJ. e. McGraw.
The district officers appointed were NJ. E. Hol-
brook and William Kroencke.