The Jersey City news., 1903-07-21

the complainant but It IL doubtful II there
/ was. In the. latest instance Mr.. George
H. Williams, Of Summit. was arraigned
for allowing two foxterriers to run al
iurge and was pressed for. hne 10,
each dog BY Deputy lwartlens Cram
and Gray B. Lester. He was dis
charged by Justice Hicks, and Commits
sioner Percy II. johnson. the newest APP
pointInent on the Fish and Game Com
mission, announced that he wonld APP
peal the case. Mr.. Williams, who is a
man of spirit. backed by wealth, quietly
asserted that he would fight the case If
it cost him $4,000 He is fighter and
will do exactly what he promises, and
moreover, he has the support of the
community.
Mr.. Johnson should take counsel from
tempered sportsmen before backing up
sortlid deputies such as Mr.. Lester has
proved himself to be on several recent oc-
casions. There is no limit to which a
greedy and sneaky warden might not go
in following up this section of the game
laws He might arrest Homer Davenport
for allowing his bullterriers TO run at
large in the same tract which contains
his pheasants. or arrest a little girl or
boy whose collie or pug was straying
from the road while out for morning ex-
ercise. 1t is quite probable that there are
several deputies who would do either of
these acts for the one-third interest in
the fines
Game Commission Mr. Lester should be
deprived of his badge and dropped from
the rolls. HIS recent action in causing
the arrest Of hardware clerk in this
city should have been enough to cause his
disnis issal.
The Sunday Cali published recently
a vehement protest from a country read
er against the enforcement of the above
quoted law. because it requires that even
house dogs shall be kept in confinement.
The writer said. These house dogs have
always had, and need. their liberty. but
this cruel unjust law demands that they
all be confined and kept from woods and
fields to which they certainly have as
much right as the mischievous wild rab-
bits that are SO carefully protected
merely to give sport to the gunners. The
latter are themselves generally great nui-
sances,. swarming oyer private grounds
and defying owners, as well as often
shooting domestic fowl
1t will be observed that under strict
Interpretation of the law a man may not
allow his dog to run at large in his own
woods and fields.
Under the act relating to cruelty to
animals person making complaint re-
ceives part of the fine imposed on an
offender. but long ago the society refused
to allow its agents to prosecute a com
plaint without the consent of Colonel Ed
wards, its superintendent. They must
promptly report arrests to him, and the
arrested person will then be prosecuted
if, in the superintendent judgment, JUS
tice demands it. A year ago the society
had law passed requiring constables,
who have right to make arrests for
cruelty, to report such arrests to the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals, who shall then prosecute the
cases, if the circumstances demand such
action
The same safeguards should be adopt
ed with respect to the game laws. War
dens and deputy wardens should be re
quired to report their arrests to some
higher officer, presumably commission
er, and only when the latter approves lof
it should prosecution follow