The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-17
Considers Both Sides.

TO the Editor Of The Journal
The Invest subject to-day in Minneapolis Is
the dog question. Shall he be muzzled or not
muzZled, that's the question. In the language
OF Mr.. Roosevelt, when governor, There is
good prospect of bully time and all on
account OF the mayors proclamation and d.
Yers views OF many good citizens. ..,
To begin with, I am friend OF the dog.
How can forget what an unfailing friend
he is to man? Who that has read Senator
Vests demonstrating tribute to the dog can
forget how he clings to his master in evil
report and in good report, whether rich or
poor; content to rest in the chill storm with
cut, II but his master is sleeping within; and
when earthly scenes are past, may be found
faithful unto death, as, with bowed head be-
tween his paws, he watches DER the new
made grave of the one he served? Again,
think of the protection he is to our homes
IN these days OF housebreakng. when almost
our only protection from the festive burglar
Is the ever alert watch dog.
l need not refer to the faithful collie, watch
Ing the deserted docks of sheep in the far
west, who at last found a poet to fttngly
sing his praise in Madrith Hall Then think
or the dependence of wayfarers the res
cuers OF the hospice OF st. Bernard, that go
searching through the SHOWS and fail not.
Then, how near he comes to us in life. OF
all the domestic animals, the dog is quite
the nearestl Not even the useful horse or
co" can vie WIN MIN as companion or our
Kind
That the dog is entitled to consideration, 1
think the mayor must admit. But dogs, like
people, / am sorry to say, are not all good.
Living IN the city for eighteen years has
given me frequent object lessons. In bring
ing up family Of children, not the least OF
their perils has been from vicious dogs; and
not one but has had more than hair
breadth escapes from the jaws Of ugly dogs.
W n
whole pack after team, often endangerlng
the lives OF many people, especially If the
team is spirited And we well know what 4
constant invitation the bicycle rider is to the
Vagrant cur.
., In all, fairness, then, what is to be done ?
1t is no sufficient answer to say that keepers
of vicious dogs can be prosecuted. The in
jury is done before that time, and, besides,
1t is not just to the public to require so much
Inconvenience in pursuing law breakers in the
courts, or become law-breal1ers in turn from
carrying CONCEALED weapons for self-defense,
or risk gancing ball killing some person.
All people, and especially little children,
should be safe to walk our street unmolested
by savage dogs.
l understand that the mayors order re-
Quires the muzzling OF only dogs running at
large. Those at home or nuder immediate
control of master are exempt Surely this
measure is wholesome and directly calculated
W Hdhe hluHedpollS SAFE IOr people 10 i've
in. II We a civilized community we
should not tolerate the vagrant dog any more
than the running at large in our streets Of
cattle, horses and swine, quite customary in
some southern towns.
The position of the Humane society re-
minds one Of the memorable words of MIME.
Roland when led out to slaughter past the
temple Of liberty in Paris, kneelng down and
crying, 80, Liberty how many crimes are
committed in thy name!"
March 13. e. d. Jackson.