The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-20

s. G. W Benjamin, of 2O15 Nineteenth
Street northwest. has written 70 the Dis
trict Commissioners expressing the hope
that the dog muzzle ordinance which ex-
pired by limitation yesterday will not be
renewed. He also furnishes some inter
esting Information about dogs in general
Nothing is gained by gross exaggera-
TONS" Mr.. Benjamin writes. You have
doubtless seen in the local press the state
ment that there are 5000 dogs in Con-
stantinople- There are probably no more
than that in the entire Turkish Empire.
In Paris, which has probably an unparal-
leled dog register, few years ago $4,000
dogs were enrolled. or about per cent OF
the population. Before the recent dog
massacre in Washington the dogs number
ed scarcely per cent OF the population.
II we allow 10 per cent for the dogs of
ConstantinOple we find that they would
number about $4,000. which. after residing
there four years, l still think an excessive
estimate. but it will answer our purpose.
THE dogs in the East are retained chiefly
for use, either to guard the focSs in the
country, as hunting dogs, or, in the towns,
chifiE in evidence TO trave,ers. and as the
dogs are gathered in the streets and but
rarely domestieated in houses, they give 10
strangers the impression OF large numbers.
] question whether dogs are as numerous
in Asia as in Europe, though more So per-
haps than in America. Tne shepherd dogs.
a specially savage breed. are fierce and
dangerous 20 strangers, while the others
are harmless, if let alone, and that may be
said Of dogs in general, bulldogs excepted.
Now there may be such a disease as
rabies, or hydrophGbia. Dogs. like men,
have many diseases, and il is possible
that the tstanuS. or rabies. Of dogs may
be poisonous. But in all myexperience with
dogs. and have had them about me since
childhood. | have never seen case Of
deadly rabies, nor in the score Of years
passed in the East, did ] ever see or hear
OF case. except once. In that instance the
dog bit three Englishmen, friends Of mine,
while hunting. but they all recovered. SUI
fering simply from ordinary dog bite II
may be inferred either that the dog did not
have rabies or that hydrophobia is not nee
essarily fatal.
There is no question in my mind that
in many alleged cases OF rabies the dog.
| being attacked with a fit or a stomach
ache or some other anguish, nOn-conta-
| gious and temporary, is worried into ap-
| parent madness by the imbecile coward
ice Of nervous people, whose conduct would
| also drive a philosopher out Of his wits
| IL applied 70 him and il he had no means
! OF escaping such persecution.
| Whatever be the decision OF your hon
| orable Board On this question Of muzzling
| dogs, allow me TO suggest that, If the or
| dinance is TO be continued IL be at
| tended in its execution with the utmost
| kindness and temperatures both toward
| the dogs and their owners. Those who do
| not own or care for dogs cannot appreci-
| ate the attachment that often exists be-
| tween the owner and his pets or the many
! interesting and noble qualities and high
| and developed intelligence Of many dogs
| As for their devotion and fidelity il is
| impossible TO speak In too exalted terms
! have in my own case had examples Of the
/ devotion Of these much-abused animals. to
/ which l cannot even allude without being
| deeply moved. The pathos in the lives Of
! many dogs should enlist the sympathies
| and the care Of the community rather
| than harsh treatment and indifference
| Man has no better friend than the dog.
/ often far more faithful than his fellow
/ man.
| Finally I would suggest that your dog
! cat,hers exercise great discretion iu seiz-
/ ing dogs, and that they show more care
| than they have done, more judgment in
/ invading premises OF in snatching docs
| from the possession of their owners. and
that they should show no respect Of per
/ sons
The letter Of Mr. Benjamin has been
noted by the Commissioners, and will re-
ceive from them careful consideration.