Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-12-19
HORSE-DOCKING.

1t is with feelings of unallOyed pleas
ure that all lovers of horses must have
noted the growing of public sentiment
against the docking of the tails Of these
animals. This hideous shortening of the
beautiful tails of our horses has long
cried out for reform and been a subject
of consideration to the most humane Of
our people.
Fashion, so-called, has for many years
demanded that the tails OF horses and
dogs, and the ears Of the latter animal,
be so mutllated as to make the appear
ance Of the creature almost revolving to
the sight OF all who admire their nat
ural grace and form.
English society, and especially the fe
male part thereof (Who, we are ashamed
to say, were great culprits in the matter
of docking, check-rein, etc, has at last
opened its eyes to the fact of the horri-
bic crueltleS attending the operations of
docking, and we are III great hopes that
the check-rein, which is not nearly such
crying evil as it was some years ago,
may also come under the ban.
The feeling Of indignation has spread
to these shores, and even beyond. for we
rejoice to be able TO congratulate the
Humane society of the state of Colo
RADIO on the passage of a very ample and
far-reaching law on the subject Of dock
ing. In the hope that other societies
may follow the example of Colorado, and
as providing such with a fair example
on which to build legislation. we give
the Colorado law at full length
BILL for an act to prevent the Docking
OF Horses tails, OF procuring the same to
be locked; to prevent the importat ton, or
bringing into this state Of locked horses
to require q registry of all locked horses
now in this state; to prevent the use Of
all unregistered locked horses; and to
provide a penalty for the violation of the
provisions of this act.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly Of
the State OF Colorado:
Section l. 1t shall be unlawful for any
person or persons to dock the tail Of any
horse, within the state of Colorado or to
procure the same to be locked, or to i'm
port or bring into this state any locked
horse, or horses or to drive, work, use,
race, or deal in any unregistered locked
horses within the state of Colorado.
Sec. :. Within 80 days after passage of
this act, every owner, or user of any locked
horse, within the state of Colorado, shall
register his or her locked horse, or horses
by filling in the office of the county clerk
and recorder OF the county in which such
dccked horse, or horses may then be kept
n certificate, which certificate shall contain
the name, or names Of the owner, together
with his, or her postotfice address; a full
description OF the color, age, size and the
use made of such locked horse, or horses;
which certificate shall be signed by the own
er, or his, or her agent. The county clerk
shall number such certificates cOnsecutively
and record the same in q book, or register
to be kept for that purpose only; and shall
receive, as fee for the recording Of such
certificate, the sum of so cents.
Sec. 3. The driving, working, keeping
racing or using Of any unregistered locked
horse, or horses, after ninety days after the
massage of this act, shall be deemed prima
facie evidence of the fact, that the party
driving, working, keeping, racing or using
such unregistered locked horse, or horses
docked the tail of such horse or horses.
Sec. 4. Any person or persons violating
any Of the provisions Of this act, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon
conviction shall be punished by a fine, in
sum not less than one hundred dollars, nor
more than five hundred dollars, or by i'm
prisonment in county jail not less than
thirty days, more than niety days. for
each offense; or, by both such fine and i'm
priSonment.
Humane Journal, Chicago.