The evening times., 1900-03-28
anti MUZZLE CRUSADE
Arranging for the NJ SIS Meeting
on Friday Night.
George w. Evans Expresses the
Opinion That the District Com
Once ResCiad the Order Regard
ing Dogs-The Law Quoted in Full.

George W. Evans. one Of the leaders OF
the anti-muzzie movement, which is is be
| iEg pushed by SO many citizens Of the Dis
trict, in discussing the probabilities Cf q
revocation Of the ordinance this morning,
! stated that in his Judgment the power to
abolish the muzzles at any time is within
the jurisdiction of the District Conmis-
sioneIs.
While Commissioner Wight Gains that
it will be necessary to repeal the law, ="
said Mr. Evans, before he can recind
! the order. / am of the opinion that the
length Of time in which the dogs are to
be muzzled is left entirely, to the Com
missioners.'
Mr. Evans quoted the muzzlng law,
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
proclamation requiring that all dogs shall.
for a period to be defined in the proclama-
ton. wear good substantial muZzles, Sc
curely put on so as to prevent them from
swapping or biting; and any dog going at
large during the period defined by the
Commissioners without such muzzle shall
be taken by the Poundmaster and i'm
pounded"
The law does not read that it is the
duty of the Commissioners to define a pc
riod Of six mOTfths, or year, or any stat
ed time" said Mr.. Evans. but, as l con-
ceive it, simply compels them TO order the
use OF muzzles on dogs so long as there is
rf hUhFODhpbia If il certainly
within their power to rescind the order il
they can be convinced that the disease
does not exist.
1T was brought to the attention Of the
Commissioners three months ago that dogs
had been captured showing symptoms re-
sembiing those of hydrophobia and the
muzzle order was Immediately issued
Today the appeal of thousands of citizens
brings it to their attention that the dis
ease, if it ever existed here, has been
stamped out and it is their right and duty
to allow the muzzles to be taken of.
According to the latest statistics" Mr
Evans continued. there are 1900 dogs in
the District, and 5000 of them are tagged
and well cared for. Is it reasonable that
this great number of dogs should be made
to suffer simply because the Health- De-
partment says that ten of the Is. 600 ami
mails, during a period extending over three
months have been infected with rabies, a
disease which is not incidental to hydro
phobia? There is positively no occasion for
a continued enforcement of the law
At the mass meeting which is to be held
by citizens at National Rifles Armory, Fri
day and night, when formal action will be
taken with a view to a repeal of the muz-
zle ordinance resolutions will also be Of
fered endorsing the application of the
aShi tn ba
trict Commissioners for control of the dog
pound.
President Pratt. of the Humane Society.
said this morning that in all probability
refuge for sick animals would be estab-
lished by the society near the dog pound
providing its request is granted. This
however, has not been definitely decided
upon as yet.
1T will be necessary to construct new
building" said Mr.. Pratt for we desire
to introduce more humane methods for
sheltering the captured animals