The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15
.D0GGIE'S LAST DAY
Unless He Wears a Muzzle, Accord
ing to Mayors Order.
MOVE TO RESIST THE MAYOR
Owners Of Aristocratlc Dogs Sub
scribe to a Fund With Which
to Fight.

Owners of blooded dogs are prepared
to put up hard fight against Mayor
Ames' doz muzzling order which takes
effect to-day. Although this was the
last day of grace in which to comply
with the provisions of the order, few
fanclers of thoroughbreds purchased muz-
zles for their pets. In majority OF cases
this is said to be due to the general dis
position Of owners of aristocratic CANNES
to keep their dogs at home. Besides, it
| is argued that well bred dogs do not run
at large and prefer to keep well within
the confines of their masters premises.
AS long as the dogs can be prevailed upon
to- stay at home, owners feel confident Of
their ability to keep their dogs out of
the clutches of bloodthirSty policemen.
! Whatever the legal aspects of the mat
ter may be, there is well-defned feeling
among such owners that the order is be-
! yond the mayors powers and that the city
| will be liable for damages for any dog
| shot down in cold blood for being found
without muZZle
Plan for II Defense Fund.
There was call to arms against the
order this morning, when a petition was
circulated among owners of dogs of high
social rank, calling on them to stand to-
gether and resist it's enforcement. The
petition solicited signatures to an agree
ment to subscribe S. down and more
money later, ii need be, to fund with
which to enjoin the city from killing
dogs" The general feeling is that there
is no immediate occasion for subscrip-
lions to such a cause, and that there will
be time enough to act, when the fact is
| clearly demonstrated that the order is to
be literally enforced. AS yet 1t is felt that
the killing clause of the order is more
in the nature Of threat to compel muz-
cling. 1t is openly asserted that the city
will not dare to lay itself liable for dam
ages for dead dogs.
William Strathdee Of the Globe building,
| who deals extensively in valuable dogs,
declares that he has not the slightest in
tention of observing the order.
"Who kicks my dog, kicks me-" said he,
land relatively who shoots my dog, shoots
me. 1t will fare hard with policeman
or anyone else who tackles my dog
! have an English setter that I wouldn't
take $500 spot cash for, and I have no in
! tention of torturing her to satisfy such
! an idiotic order I will buy dog tag as
usual, although I believe the dog is COW
| cred by my personal property tax, and If
anything happens to her the city will pay
for her to the last farthing if it costs me
$1,000. 49,
Big Demand for NIuzzIes..
! However owners of prize pups may feel
about the Ames muzzl1ng order, the own
ers of the plain, everyday faithful Fidos
of Minneapolis intend to take no chances
when the police go cunning for unmuzzled
| dogs. ,..
| That explains the unparalleled demand
for muzzles which the sporting goods
| and hardware houses have been called on
to meet within the last few days. Thou
sands of muzzles have been disposed Of,
| and the inroads on the supply increased
steadily this afternoon as owners began to
realize that this was the last day of grace
before the dread order takes effect. The
| dealers were able to satisfy the trade by
which they had laid in week ago in an
ticipation Of rush business ..-sz .
| One firm had disposed Of three gross,
or 492 muzzles, up to this afternoon, and
the sales OF another firm had also mount
ed into the hundreds. All other dealers
report a similar demand. 5s...s.
The biggest call has been for plain, 20
cent leather muzzles, capable of keeping
the ordinary dogs jaws from wagging.
Bird dogs and others of the gentler per-
suasion have as rule been fitted out
| with the cheaper muzzles. Big dogs, like
St. Bernards and Newfoundlands, have
required a more elaborate harness for
their faces, the appliances in such cases
costing on an average 80 cents.
The bulldog Is in class by himself and
| it is necessary to make a special muzzle
for his requirements. No leather goes in
his case. A wire muzzle Is the proper
thing for BULL" no matter whether he
prides himself on being from Boston or
is an ordinary white pup like Bill Sykes
faithful friend. Wire muzzles retail at 35
cents.
Pugs also require a special device.
Owing to the peculiar construction OF
their heads, it is lie 3sary to secure the
muzzle with an extra strap to the harness
with which the gruff little fellows are
ordinarily provided.
Carriers IndOrse MuzzIers
Mayor Ames has found ardent cham
pions of his dog muzzIing order in the
Minneapolis letter carriers. delega-
tion of the carriers called upon him this
morning and declared their emphatic be-
lief in the wisdom of the movement and
urged him to insist upon enforcing his
order. Their craft was behind him to a
man on this proposition. they said
Mayor Ames disclaims any intention to
enforce his order r1gidly. The order is
directed chiefly at the tramp dogs that
roam the streets and pick up precarious
living from door to door, he explains.
Many of these animals have no owners.
Dogs of breeding that stay at home and
make no trouble for anyone will not be