The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-27


R&aSI to animals. and the prime movers
$780, in this will be the officers OF the
Indiana Humane Society. IL is said that
Indianapolis il greatly behind the other cit
les Of it's size in this work from the fact
thai there is a lack OF interest shown by
the citizens here. Such an organization as
this is practically necessity to a city as
large as this because. as it has often been
demonstrated. If there were not some one
TO take up this matter. the cruelty that
would be practiced on animals, especially
horses and dogs. would be very severe.
The society calls upon all citizens who
feel kindly towards animals to aid in this
WORK. Mr.. Horace Mckay. president OF the
society. in speaking recently of its efforts.
said.
las members of the Indiana Humane
Society. we appeal to every kind-hearted
person to assist us in our endeavors to give
all animals and birds humane treatment.
I'VE feel justified in making this appeal
at this time for the reason that so much
neglect and cruelty abounds in the city. We
are anxious to bring this matter to the no
tlce of the public and feel sure a way to
better prevailing conditions will be found.
and therefore ask the cooperation of the
IcOpic Ol THIS city anu Oh the oldtc u SCI
ond our efforts to reduce to the minimum
cruelty to the children and to all animals
and birds.
Il feel that 1t is not necessary TO enumer-
ate the trials and troubles that this society
has had in the past. but prefer to look with
hope to the future. To make the society
I'll the place 1t deserves, we must see that
the humane laws on the statute books
are enforced and not permitted to be dead
letter, even if they are not quite a
plicit as they should be. We must also
be aggressive 1t is not enough that we
organize to do the work, but much better
TO say that we are organized to do it, and
that we intend to do it.
LAW SHOULD BE ENFORCED.
"a half-hearted prosecution" continued
Mr.. Mckay, ''of a case of cruelty is of no
advantage TO the cause we work for. If
1t is cruelty within the meaning of the law.
we must not stop short of conviction. and
the punishment provided by law should in
every case follow. 1 have found that the
only way TO have the laws obeyed is to en-
force them. This society is organized for
the sole purpose of enforcing such humane
laws we now have; and If that is not it's
purpose. il has no right to exist. What
now want to know is will il be possible for
us 10 enlist the enthusiasm of the people in
our effort to enforce the laws? Can this
organization feel the moral support of the
community and can we secure the material
aid necessary to prosecute the work sue
cessfully? | want to hope that we can. We
Rave been greatly aided and strengthened
in our present efforts to place this society
on aggressive grounds by the press of the
city. and / feel assured that if we do our
duty, We will receive the loyal support of
the newspapers in the future.
Mr.. Mckay was asked as to the further
Intention of the organization. 1.-The So
ciety. he replied, intends to appoint COM
mittees for special departments with view
of more systematic work We hope in the
future to have our watchfuness and care
so diffused that no guilty one will escape.
With proper management OF the society
We hope TO receive the encoura cement of
our people and to have it evidenced by a
greatly enlarged membership. For such a
worthy purpose our members should be
counted by thousands, and our treasury
should be replenished sufficiently to pay
all necessary expenses The society also
hopes, some day not far in the future to
have a home that it can call its own.
The trouble that the humane society is
experiencing at the present time is lack
OF funds, but IL is hoped that ii will not
be long before this deficiency is overcome
1t is an organization fully Incorporated
under the laws OF the State. and therefore
can own its own property, which it is great
ly IN need of to carry on the work. If the
society had its own property, a building
would be erected where il could have its
offices and there would also be a refuge
for old. and stray animals to be harbored.
IL would also have a SeDaratp department
where old animals that were suffering and
unable to work could be put tO>death.
The next crusade which the society is
going to wage in conjunction with Humane
Inspector Frank Wilson, who is employed
by the city, is against the docking of horses
tails There is no law I'm this State at pres
ent that covers this, although arrests are
made under the general law of cruelty to
animals Inspector Wilson has recommend
ed by the next Legislature TO the effect that
1t will be unlawful to dock horses tail or
to ship locked horse into the State for
the purpose or owning or selling the same.
The law also provides that any person own
Ing locked horse at the time the law goes
into effect shall register il with the county
clerk. giving its color, height and age. and
that the horses that are already locked
shall wear a hy-net from April / until Nov
]. The penalty for not obeying this act will
be very severe for both the owner and the
veterinary surgeon who does the docking.
The fashion OF driving locked horses is
passing out in the East because there the
penalty on any one who thus initiates a
horse. In Washington. where the smart SET
keep abreast of the times. the locked horse
Is thing of the past. and in England
where the fad originated. King Edward has
issued a proclamation against il. and in
that country horses with tails will again
be seen. All of the larger cities in this
country ne re started crusades against dock
ing and have been very successful in IL, be-
cause ii is claimed by every thorough
horseman that this is exceedingly crue
practice. and horse with a locked tai
when turned out i'm pasture during the sum
mer months will be fairly eaten up by tht
insects and flies for it is unable to protect
itself.
A CRUEL PRACTICE.
a local horseman. in speaking of this th'
other day. said: "Some people will say tina
TO dock a horse does not hurt him. but
will differ with them The manner in which
this work is done is sufficient to cause suf
fering- The animal has ropes tied arounC
its hind legs and these go over its back 5,
that IL is unable TO kick. The loose end o
this rope is held by n man who. wheneve
the horse moves, tightens it so that his leg
are pulled together.
His tail is then measured. and the styl
Is 10 cut IL SO that IL will only be 81,
inches long. The cutting part. / will al
init, does not hurt to any great extent
because IL Is done so quick. \ very sharl
knife is used. which is made I'm a V shape
This is put over the poor brute's tail am