The evening times., 1900-03-24

Popular feeling over the cruelties to
dogs confined in the public pound under
control of the District Commissioners has
reached fever heat. with the result that
a mammoth petition Of citizens in favor OF
an early repeal of the obnoxious municipal
muzzle order has been circulated This
movement was started at recent meet
ing of dog owners of the city, when re-
ports were read representing that the
animals in the dog pound are cruelty treat
cd and that the confinement of the animals
indiscriminateiy Is not justified by the
recent mad dog scare.
The Rev. Dr. Maekay-Smith, rector
Of St Johns Church, has offered TO buy
out the pound and conduct 1T under his
own supervision IN the interests of hu-
manity a special committee OF the HUI
name Society has visited the pound, and
reported TO the meeting OF citizens that
the scenes of cruelty were heartrending.
The meeting therefore voted unanimously
to netition Congress in favor of transfer
ring the control of the dog pound TO the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty tc
Animals. in the meantime, individual dog
owners have set to work to bring about d
reform. Mrs crammond Kennedy has SUD
scribed a sum OF money to build a shed
for the purpose of protecting the dogs
from the inclemencies OF the weather
She viii personally supervise the work.
The Rev DR.. Mackay- Smith visited the
pound yesterday. So pitiable was the
sight he says, OF dogs crowded together
in wire cages, possibly awaiting dealh'
that he gladly offered to buy all the ami
60 homes could
found for them among residents. Dr.
| Mackay-Smths plan will be carried out II
the condition scan be fulfilled. This VIII
| afford only temporary relief, however, as
the pound viii quickly be filled again by
stray dogs picked up on the streets, ana
the dog owners and the Humane Society
| look to Congress for permanent relief.
The mad-dog scare in Washington began
| about three months ago, but II was chleny
confined to Government officials. young
| physician claimed he had discovered a case
of rabies, and some officials OF the ASrl-
| cultural Department agreed with his dag
| nosis The matter was called to the atten-
| ton Of the District Health Office, and the
| order of the Commissioners. that all dogs
be either muzzled or confiened, followed.
| A leading citizen. at a mass meeting OF DOG
| owners a few nights ago, asserted tha'
/ there had been no case OF rabies IN tht
| District OF Columbia. He declared that II
| poundmaster Einstein came on has prem
| ises TO take his dog away he would be me-
| with a double -barreled shotgun. He ad-
yised his fellow-citizens 10 do likewise.
Many causes of complaint have appeared
| as a result of the Commissioners order
1 Dog catchers have secured every street
and no dog unmuzzied could escape. The
| Poundmaster's men, il is said. have ever
invaded the premises OF owners. The
| daughter of Adjutaat General kelton. re-
tired was leading her dog down the stree
a few days ago on The way to purchase
muzzle. when, IL is said. the dog catcher:
bounced upon the animal and carried hin
away. accidentally striking Miss keltol
with their net during the process. Score
| of incidents OF this kind have thorough,
| aroused the dog owners.