The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-27

Reports from those who are circulating
the petition protesting against the dog
muzzling order, now being enforced in the
District, show that the feeling is general
throughout the city that the regulation
should be rescinded.
1t would be very easy matter said
George w. Evans, who is one of the lead
ers of the movement in behalf of the suf-
fering CANNES, Ito procure the signatures
of ten thousand citizens who declare that
that muzzling order is entirely uncalled
for" Mr.. Evans said that he, alone, had
obtained the signatures of nearly five
hundred persons to the petition.
To-day there are at least fifty OF 'hese
petitions in circulation said Mr.. Evans.
They are being presented in all parts of
the District, and those who are engaged in
passing them around report long lists of
names Of prominent persons. | have
nearly five hundred signatures. Surprising
that each OF the other fifty anti-muZZle
workers secures even half that number.
and that will be an easy matter, We will
have the names of more than twelve
thousand citizens who are in favor Of
abolishing the muzzle. These signatures
will be brought to the meeting Friday
night at National Rifles Hall, and | am
sure the number will be surprisingly large
Scores of persons continued MIR. Evans,
come into my office daily, and l am
stopped on the street by many, who desire
to sign the petition and to join in the
movement"
Mr. Evans is in receipt, also, of numer-
Gus letters, in which the writers commend
the action taken by the citizens for the
repeal of the order. Among these is one
from Prof. A. Gerard. Principal of the
Berlitz School OF Languages who wishes
TO be considered heartily in favor Of the
movement.
While the records OF the Health DEPART
ment show that since January l, 1900, up
to ard including March "a. 1900, seventeen
dogs have been reported as suffering from
symptoms resembling those of rabies, it
is the positive opinion of hundreds Of dog
owners that, if a case of hydrophobia
existed in the District. the time has now
past when it is necessary to keep the
dogs muzzled.
while il is the general belief that there
has been no case Of rabies here" said
Mr. Evans, 1--WE are not making any point
on this claim. We are claiming. however.
that no case exists today and that there
is no cause for the continued enforcement
of the law which brings so much suffering
to the dogs" -----
Commissioner Wight said yesterday af-
ternoon that the law providing for such
an order was amaze OF Congress. and to
have it rescinded it would be necessary 70
repeal the law.
Prominent -citizens interested, however,
believe the law 10 be more or less discre-
tionary. They claim that the length OF
time in which the animals are TO be muz-
zled after case of hydrophobia is report
ed, is left TO the judgment of the Com
missionels.
E. A. Hammond Vice President of the
New York Humane Society, at present in
Washington, is indignant at the inhuman
manner in which dogs are treated in the
Capital City. 1T is an outrage" declared
Mr.. Hammond to President Pratt. of the
Washington Humane Society yesterday,
Ito have the poor animals mouths strap
ped up on so slight a provocation.''
This morning a meeting of the pound
committee of the local Humane Society
will be held 10 reconsider the communi-
cation sent to the District Commissioners
in which the society offered TO impound
the dogs for $4,000 a year. 1t is believed
that the amount asked for will be lowered
to $1,000 yearly.