The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-08

In a big hotel is made a secret as
though his presence were a disgrace.
He is given over to the porter, and
even the doubtful care which the pet
then receives costs it's master about
fifty cents day. The porter usually
takes the unfortunate animal to the
dark basement and ties him there. AS
long as the master is a guest of the
house the dog is fed, but he is given
no freedom. But the rot of the tran
sient dog is much better than that of
the unfortunate permanent resident
who has lost his home. The number
of homeless dogs put to death each
year in New York is astonishing Last
year the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals. to which the city
shifted the responsibility of the regula-
ton of the dog questions, destroyed 25,-
900 dogs in the Shelter" which is the
name given to what is usually known
as the dog pound" But that number
is small when compared with the de-
struction of cats. In 1901 $1,000 New
York cats met a humane death. This
killing of stray dogs and cats is per-
formed in the most scientific manner
1t is a death which is practically pain
less. The dogs and cats are asphyx-
lated by gas. In the Shelter is a
long alright tank. The unfortunate
dog-tramps and foundlings are put into
this tank, the doors are shut, and a
large volume of gas turned on. The
nrst effect is drowsiness. There is no
choking, as many suppose. And after
the drowsiness, with which there is a
peculiar dullness in the head, comes
sleep, and after sleep, death. The same
process is followed in killing cats.
Inc dog shelter is, also, a sort Of
piaclng-out bureau for homeless ca
mines. When one is starting for a
long journey, or for some other reason
thinks 1t necessary to give up his dog,
the animal may be taken to the shell
ter, and will be kept there and exhibit
ed to any one who calls and wishes to
ADOPT pet. But should an inquiry
fs1l to come within the allotted time,
the death warrant is sealed and into
the tank goes the dog But the poor
creature without a home or master and
VINO is captured and taken to the shell
ter in one of the society's wagons Is
apsolutely without hope. He has only
torty-e1ght hours to live. If one who
calls at the shelter should take a
FANCY to such a one and wish to adopt
MIN, the thing could not be done; the
law OF the city forbids. For the dog
Which has trayed from home and Is
taken to the shelter" there are just
forty-eight hours, and no more, in
which he may hope to see his master.
Ihink what period of suspense-if
the animal knew!
In the parks children and dogs are
taken for outings together, equals be-
lore the nursemaid. In fact in other
instances, too, the child and the dog
are placed on equal footing: for eX-
ample, in apartments where dogs and
children are not allowed" In the
great city where there is no longer
ground space to spare, the roofs of
buildings become backwards; and the
manager of one of the tall New York
hotels has put the roof of his build
ing to a unique use. 1t is the back
yard in which he keeps his dogs, for
he has a very fine kennel of English
bulldogs. The entire roof is their
rcmping place, and in one corner is a
little brick building which is the ken
mel and which contains on both sides
several tiers of stalls for the dogs.
But queerest of all is the device for
giving the creatures their exercise. This
is a treadmill, the movable floor being
placed on an angle. so that when the
dog is not moving he will slip back
ward out OF the mill. This exercise
has developed fine muscles on the
backs Of the fierce-looking brutes. and
it serves as a substitute for country
rambleS