The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-16
THE DOG ORDINANCE
SHOULD BE AMENDED
Editor News-Democrat.

Editor News-Democrat.
That the dog ordinance is needlessly
burdensome and cruel that IL is most un-
popular and should be promptly amended,
is now admitted on all sides.
BY simply adding the two words cor
unmuzzled' 10 the line of said ordinance,
reading which is loose or unsecured by
leash" so that the whole sentence might
read, (which Is loose, unsecured by
leash. or unmuzzled." the situation could
be vastly relieved and improved and I'm "A
pertecly safe and satisfactory way TO all.
That some member Of the city council
has golden opportunity before him to
win the heartfelt gratitude OF the large
number of dog owners and the plaudits of
thousands OF women and children In this
city Is a very potent fact.
BY simply bringing this matter up and
having IL referred TO the committee on or
dinances, the step can be promptly taken
and simple amending Of said ordinance
would be perfectly feasible and com
mon sense act.
No one doubts that heavy wire mask
muzzle (Which might be specihed) is as
effectual a safeguard as a leash. indeed
much more so. since dogs. as now con-
fined, are free to attack the members or
the family TO which they belong. or
might oftentimes break away from their
leash, should they be seized with rabies,
and then il unmuzzled be as dangerous as
before any law had been passed
That the present law Is sure TO cause un-
Hedllig conultiOnS 10 uoBH must DC sltdI
TO all; deprived OF needed exercise. con-
fined as they must be, what else but bad
results can be expected?
That hundreds OF good citizens IN this
city are put 10 great Inconvenience, daily
and nightly, that households everywhere
are Ia turmoil. that over 800 family pets
have been ruthlessly slaughtered at 50
much per head, that the hearts OF
children all over the city have been
cruelty. hurt that such unnecessary
wholesale slaughter is wrong and should
be stopped i'm the name Of common sense,
all are just reasons why this amendment
should at once be made.
What other town or city In this state
finds the leash a necessity? What city IN
Massachusetts or any other adjacent
state finds 1t necessary? If heavy wire
mask muzzles aEe found satisfactory III
the city of Boston and elsewhere. why
should they not be satisfactory here2
In the city of Boston at present tho law
provides that no dog shall be allowed
loose in any highway unless properly
muzzled. The law insists that the dogs
must and shall be either muZzlcd or on
leash.
This is precisely what may and should
be provided for by an amended ordinance
in this city. IL IL true that there are
many who are not interested i'm this
matter, an appeal 10 whom for kindly
consideration for dumb animals would be
wasted, but there are. we are glad 10
say. large majority who have kindly
feelings and sympathy for the helpless.
whether human or animal, TO whom the
law Of love and duty means responsi-
bility 10 be cheerfuily borne and faith-
fully executed. That the earnest desir"
OF this majority is for an amendment Of
the ordinance is certain.
The foundation Of all.law is supposed
and meant to be justice. That justice de-
mands q prompt correction OF the dog or
dinance is universally admitted.
c. n. RICHARDSON.
Providence, Jan. 10.