The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-30

The Senate Committee on tHo D.s s,
OF Columbia win in q few days g..a hear
ing on he resolution which was introduced
on Wedns sday by Senator Gailinger. and
which pas agreed TO by the Senate. pro
1idfuc for an investigation as TO the neces-
sry Of further continuing the -muzziing
OF dogs N The District. Opportunities viii
be given lor al gument both Tor and against
he repeal of the order requiring dogs TO
be muzzled. and the committee viii re
port 10 The Senate the alleged reasons for
the order. upon what ground it is being
kept in force, and their opinion as TO the
necessity for it's further continuance.
senator GaIlinger said last night that he
had Tor some time contemplated securing
an invest igation Of this matter and though
he had never been asked 10 do so his per
sonsl interest in it had prompted him to
introduce a resolution 70 that effect. He
said that he had never attended any of
The meetings that have been held for the
uurnase Of protesting against the muZ-
cling order but had read the discussions
OF ID that have appeared in the papers,
and they have only strengthened his orig
maj belief that the order is unwarranled,
unnecessary. and entirely without reason.
Opposed 20 NuzzIcs.
Il am opposed TO the muzzling of dogs.
said senator Gallinger. not only from
humanitarian but from a medical stand
roint. one Of the arguments in its favor
i.ss been that it vill prevent dogs having
hy5rophobia from communicating the dis
aa.Hre In. f.H
ing them Now. the truth Of the matter
is that hydrophobia BIS a disease that il it
nov exists at all De- exceedingly rare. in
medical experience Of over thirty years
/ have never seen single case. and have
heard several Ct the best known physicians
"a The country make the same st5teme nj.
Aly opinion is that the muzz-ing OF DIGS
prevents them from breathing and pei
sliring in a natural manner, and that i
done during warm weather il might have
lh,. very effect that il is designed to pre-
vent This view is shared by the majority
Of PHYSICIANS with whom I have talked, so
that IRON a medical standpoint alone there
seems to be sufficient reason for revoking
the order requiring the carrying out OF
harmful practice. IN addition to this, the
humanitarian view OF the question appeals
20 me-and it. as ] believe, no good is &C
complished by putting muzzles on dogs,
there Is certainly 10 excuse for suhlectlng
them ueedlessly 70 discomfort, and. under
some conditions 10 absolute pain.
Senator Gallinger said that it is the in
teuti0n OF the committee TO give the SUB
ject a thorough Investigation. and to make
q report 10 the Senate embOdying the iuf0r-
nation thus obtained and detaiIing tie
method by which an opinion was arrived
at ln reply TO question as 10 who would
BE- asked 10 appear before the committee
10 explain their views on the subject he
said that several OF the prominent physi-
clans OF the District would be asked 10 ap-
pear al the hearings. aud that while every
opportunity would be given to these VINO
secured The issuance OF the order and those
who are in favor OF IT, TO argue in its sup
port. = considerable amount Of time would
he devoted 10 hearing a general discussion
u the subject from medical standpoint.
The humanitarian view will. he said. be
presented by number Of those interested, .
though that viii naturally have less
weight han statements as to the necessity .
for muzzles and their beneficial or harmful
effects / want TO repeat" Senator Gal .
linger said emphatically, that in my
opinion The muzzling order is absolutely
needles, ncnsensical, and unTarr3uted. .
BegfnniHE of the End
The belief is now general among dog +
owners and those interested in the humane
treatment Of the az imals. that the begin .
ming Of the end Of the dog muzzlinE ques- .
tion WAS reached when the Senate adopted
1ir. Gallinger's resolution. When proc
lamatioa was issued three months ago.
compelling owners TO strap together the .
jaws Of their dogs there was much con- .
rroversy as TO the necessity Of the en-
forcem=Ht Of the law. As the weeks passed .
by The Indignation grew. Anu-muzzle so i
cisties We're formed The local Humane
Society Joined in the movement and last
week representative Of IL met TO prepare .
petitions to be circulated throughout the
city, asking for revocation OF the order
Dog owners, realizing that it would be
next TO impossible 10 keep their dogs muz-
zled during the summer months signed /
these petitions rapidly. glad TO take part in .
the protest. and those who do not keep
dogs Joined on humane principles. until I
the whole city is nov aroused. demanding .
that he muzzling Law be rescinded.
The necessity Of a general gathering OF .
those who desire 10 express their resent 1
ment and to take formal and organized 1
action in pleading 10 the Commissioners .
that the ordinsnce be repealed. was seen BY .
the leaders OF the movement and tonight .
al the National Rifles Armory a mass
meeting viii be held. There the men and
women who report thousands OF signatures .
to their petitions VIII speak TO those as 4
sembied Of the general sentiment existing .
IN favor o. unmuzziing the suffering dog +
Nany of those who Wili speak have pre- +
pared reports. telling Of scores OF incidents .
whore valuable dogs have been made Ti@''
or5 died rlla .la e4-e.- rl iae cruel re.
s-ala seed upou rhuu They ufiI show
tla. tl numerous Instances pei dogs have
tta1 .dre1lcufI with rte I1
.ln+ and rnaf .hr-H r.rHa.- H.r.
con aled rerar of the iaE .1
musa .asrr THOSE Wh0 have made DOE
vestlsa,.0n say mat .E many eases
were taken to the pound after their oTr..- .
had found H necessary On -e7o-. fEal. .
ulls4.ls fearing that tho tautaliziug bind /
ing Of the jaws 'Tolld drive them mad.
Dog Owners Hopeful
We have no fears as 10 the report that /
viii De made 10 The Senate" said a prom
inent dog owner and leader OF the anti
muzzle movement last night "lor The .
facts are all in our favor. Hydrophobia
does not exist IN the District and the
declaration comes from an that dogs can .
not wear the muzzles during the coming
hot months You can lead horse 10
water. but there Is 10 law that Will
make him drink A dog can be muzzled.
but In hot wealth BE- viii become sick,
die run away. or become dangerous
Commissioner Wight IN speaking Of the
Senatorial investigation said yesterday
that the Commissioners would not OBJ
ject 10 uumuzzling be dogs providing The
law was repealed. Many claim that the
Commissioners have the power 10 resclnd
the order a. any time and that 90 Is I'M
necessary 10 take the question before
Congress Those vino have been active in