The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-29
DOG OWNERS JUBILANT
Gratified Over the Senate Resell
ton Concerning Muzzles.
The Hope Expressed That 1t VIII
Result in the Speedy Repeal of the
An Alleged Significant Omission i'm
the Recent Health Office Reports.

Leaders of the general movement TO
order are congratulating themselves over
the Senate's decision, reached yesterday,
to have careful investigation as to the
necessity of continuing the enforcement Of
the law. The resolution for the enquiry
was introduced by Mr.. Gallinger, and
agreed to without remark. 1t reads as
follows:
Resoly ed. That the Committee the District
of Columbia is hereby directed to make careful
enquiry and investigation to the necessity OF
further continuing the muzzng of dogs IN the
!nS.rict OF Columbia report 10 he made to the
Senate at the earliest practicable day. showing
v;h-n and by whom the order issued. rhe al.
icgCd reason for the Order and upon what ground
it is being kept in force.
This Investigation said a prominent
man last night who is engaged in circu-
lating an anti-muzzle petition, will, in
my opinion, result in speedy reyokement
of the law which compels 10000 dogs in
this city to be tortured. All we ask for
is such an investigation, because any
reasonable man can plainly see that the
time has passed when the cruel muzzle
is needed There is not the slightest
question, in my mind" he continued, but
that the Senatorial investigating commit
tee will report in favor of the thousands of
dog owners that the regulation be re-
scinded
I'm reports sent out by the local Health
Department" said this gentleman, lit is
a noticeable fact that the word hydro
phobia is not once employed The reports
speak of the cases of rabies, which are
said TO have been discovered between jan
uary / and March % Rabies is not hydro
phobia remember. In fact. it is far re-
moved from that disease. Dog owners are
at last aware of this. They are aware that
no hydrophoba exists now in the District,
and are daily growing more indignant at
being compelled to strap up the mouths of
their dogs.
IF the order is not repealed before the
warm weather sets in, | believe the dog
owners generally will take the law in their
own hands, for it is dangerous to muzzle
the animals during the hot season"
George w Evans explains that, although
the District Commissioners claim the law
must be repealed by an act of Congress,
they have the power in themselves to al
low the muZZles to be taken off.
The law does not read that it is the
duty of the Commissioners to define a pc
riod of six months. or a year or any stat
ed time" said Mr.. Evans, shut as l con-
ceive it, simply compels them TO order the
use of muzzles on dogs so long as there is
danger of hydrophobia. 1t is certainly
within their power to rescind the order if
they can be convinced that the disease
does not exist" -'n1 ffur g"tui8O zn 81
At the mass meeting which is TO be held
by citizens at National Rifles Armory Fri
day night when formal action will be
taken with view TO a repeal of the muz-
zle ordinance. resolutions will also be Of
fered endorsing the application of the
Humane Society TO the Dis
trict Commissioners for control of the dog
pound.