The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-20
CITIZENS WANT
HEARING GIVEN
AS To DOG LAW

Declaring that there is no real epidemic
OF rabies in this city. several prominent
business men who own dogs have de-
mauGed a public hearing on the proposed
amendment TO the dog law, which pro-
vides for the killing Of all dogs found at
large on the public highways.
They charge that the amendment was
"rairoaded" through the board OF alder
men, and express fear that the commit
tee on ordinances. 20 which the measure
has been referred. will recommend IL TO
the common council without giving the
citizens hearing.
Councilman Henry Grimwood chairman
Of the committee on ordinances, has been
requested a number OF times 10 hold q
public hearing, but has not yet answered
these requests.
There were three rabies scares" during
the administration OF Mayor Thomas A.
Doyle. and he had public hearings held
during each that some public action be
taken When asked 10 order a sim:sar
hearing. Acting Mayor William II. Rey-
nolds last Monday refused. and seemed to
be bitterly. opposed 10 il. The request
was made by Thomas w. Aldrich. a ken
mel expert who believes that there is no
rabies epidemic In this city. and that the
scare is therefore unnecessary.
DR.. Fenuer II. Peckham. q member OF
the park commission, who is a lover OF
dogs, Is in favor Of having "A private hear
ine; and among those In favor of pub
ick r. Hoard. Thomas w. Aldrch.
George l.. Darte, Henry Perkins, Charles
Harris and c. II. Jefferds.
They contend that the results obtained
by City Bacteriologist Hadley are not ac-
curate: and some of them even ridicule
the manner i'm which the examination is
made.
These gentlemen disagree with DR..
Charles V. Chaplin. the superintendent OF
health. who was quoted ms saying that
rabies sweeps the state and also be
lieve that The recent rabies scare In
Woonsocket was unwarranted.
They question the decision Of the Rhode
Island hospital surgeon. who diagnosed
the case OF the East Providence man,
who died there recently, as rabies, and
contend that the mans death was rea-ly
the result Of a blow on the head. wsIch
he received about three years ago, ana
exec essive use OF liquor.
The Enfield man whose death was pro-
nounccd due TO rabies IS said TO have been
suffering from delirium tremens; and IL is
said that the attending physician has
practically admitted this.
The East Providence dog officer says
he has not found a single case OF rabies
In that town; and report from the Paw
tucket dog officer states that there is no
rabies In that city.
The ordinance committee met yester-
day afternoon with Chairman Luther OF
the police commission, Acting Mayor
Reynolds, DR.. Chaplin. Or. Swarts aud
City Solicitor Baker. and the whole mat
ter was discussed.
II was generally felt that such a dra s.
tic law as that proposed could not be
made operative. ana the conferees entered
upon general discussion OF what sort
Of a measure may be devised. and adj
iourned TO meet again next Monday
At that time City Solicitor Baker will
present the legal side OF the question ana
possibly a draft OF new ordinance.
IL is not improbable that the commit
tee may favor Application TO the assem-.
bly, TO pass a law increasing the license
fee. IL is claimed that no other city of
the size OF Providence has so many stray
dogs. and 20 the low license fee is at
tributed this fact
According 10 the health authorities. IL
animals have been found 20 have been
rabid in this city, 80 persons having been
bitten by % OF them.
The total cost 20 the city for the Pas
teur treatment has been sSl75.
City Bacterlologist Hadley charges the
city s. for each eXamina tion Of an AMI
NAL: and for dogs outside Of the city
which are sent to him he charges $40
each.
The veterinary surgeons are also reap
ing n harvest out OF the rabies scare. as
many persons, fearing their animals
might become rabid. have boarded them
with them
The health authorities say they do not
think a public hearing would do any
good.
some people are too scared. while 9th
ers are not scared enough" said DR.. Eu-
gene u. King, deputy superintendent OF
health, this afternoon There is rabies
in this city, and something should be done
10 stop It's spread.
The chances arc 70 20 In favor Of a
person bitten by a rabid animal that ht
will not get hydrophobia: and tho city
must decide whether IA is worth while -
take extreme measures Tor the putsc
sa fety.'