Evening star., 1902-03-05
HYDROPH0BIA CASE
HEALTH OFFICER HAS TRACE OF
THE RABfB DOG.
Body Found in Lot=Maj. Sylvester's
Suggestion and Proposed Amend
ment to'Iaw.

DR.. William c. Woodward, the health Of
ficer. believes that he has found absolute
trace Of the rabid dog that, is said to have
attacked Mary Johnson-i the colored wo-
man who died of hydrophobia yesterday
morning at Freedmen's Hospital. In re-
porting the incident the. woman said she
had been attacked by black collie dog
When the health Office was notified of the
case Monday afternoon q search was I'M
mediately instituted to find some, trace of
the animal. The woman was bitten Febru-
airy 8, and it was known that dog rabid
at that time must have died soon after
ward In the vicinity. of 18th and w
streets, where the attack by the dog oc-
Cured, the health authorities found q
black collie belonging to policeman. The
dog was in perfect health, however and
aroused no suspicion, although a number
of people said it looked very much like the
animal that did the fatal biting.
Dog Located.
DR.. Woodward did not suspect the police
mans dog. as he was sure the animal that
attacked the woman must have been in an
advanced stage of rabiess and. as stated,
could not have long survived. The health
authorities thereupon sent a query to the
street cleaning department to ascertain
whether or not a dog answering the de-
had been found dead in the locality of the
attack. The daily reports of the depart
ment for more than three, weeks past were
gone over and this morning DR.. Woodward
was informed that black shepherd dog
had been found dead February 8 on the
vacant lot on the north side of L street be-
tween 18th and 18th streets. This dog, the
authorities believe, Is the one for whose
record they had been searching.
Maj. Sylvester's Suggestion.
Under date of January 10 Maj. Richard
Sylvester, the superintendent Of police,
called the attention of the Commissioners
to the report of the health officer for the
year 1900. in which is found a copy of the
law to create a revenue in the District of
Columbia by levying a tax on all dogs
therein. The act provides a penalty for
dangerous dogs being allowed to run at
large. in the first instance by a fine of So
in the second by fine of $40 and upon
third conviction the Commissioners are di
rected to Immediately cause the dog upon
account Of which the conviction takes
place to be S.ain and buried.
After consulting with the Commissioners
regarding instances where vicious dogs
have attacked other animals upon the
highways says Major Sylvester, land
where they have bitten human beings. it is
suggested that there might be change
made that would have the effect of lessen
ing this evil 1t Is not my purpose, in any
way, to recommend changes in the laws
relating to the health depa rtment. but it is
my opinion that where, dogs run at large
with or without tags, and display vicious
shoad bs 8s where
animals attack a person the owner should
be fined and the animal. adjudSed to be
killed." ..f
Proposed Amendment.
Major Sylvester was requested to make a
draft Of proposed amendment 20 the law
making the penalties heavier in the prem
ises, and has now submitted an amend
ment to section 8. making it read as fol-
lows: - -
eff any owner or ppssesspr of a fierce or
dangerous dog permits the same TO go at
large in the District Of Columbia to the
danger or annoyance of the, inha bitanIs. he
shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding
$50, and if such animal shall attack or bite
any person. the owner thepeof shalf be fined
be killed by any metropolitan police officer, or
other person having like authority. This
paragraph shall be construed as applying
to any dog running at large, whether
licensed or unlicensed, and dog which at
tacks persons, dogs animals shall be
considered as dangerous and annoyance
to the inhabitants, in the meaning of this
act"
Commissioner Ross has approved the pro-
posed amendment. and forwarded it to his
associates of the District board for their
action