Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-01-08
DOG QUESTION IS
PULLING THE
ALDERMEN
P~oundmaSter viii Be Allowed
More Pay in the Hopes That
Inducements w I'LL Brin 8
Forth Suitable Talent,

What shall the city do with the
dogs?
The same old problem which has
perplexed city administrations for a
decade came up for a vigorous dis
cussion at last nights council meet
ing. The aldermen TOOK hold Of the
horns of the dilemma after an unusu-
ally Illuminating discussion In q way
that was most encouraging. The city
attorney was finally instructed by the
council to draw UP an amendment TO
the ordinance affecting dogs which
may finally lead to a solution of the
problem. The idea Is to increase the
remuneration of the city poundmaster
and dog catcher with the purpose OF
attracting to the job men Of more
ability and catchers better equipped
TO catch. This of course is not in
tended to convey any reflection on the
standing of the present poundmaster.
Col. Ward, 1t is generally conceded
tina. the coloners qualifications are
on "a par with his emoluments. II is
come when a little higher order Of
talent is demanded by the growth Of
the city and the increasing number of
dogs.
Alderman Harrison last night de-.
posed and said hat there are In his
neighborhood at least three dozen
dogs (3G dogs) which are not licensed
as required by law. Alderman Har-
risOn suggested hat ~ separate and
distinct dog department of the city
government be organized that the re-
Enumeration Of the poundmastcr be
increased and he be required TO give
a bond of $500 for the faithful per-
Torrance Of his duties.
just at this juncture the present in
cumbent Of the office of poundmaster
came I'm for a little criticism. Alder
man Harrison gave 1t verbatim from
Ward that he was afraid to arrest
dogs because he was afraid he would
be jailed for it.. The city marshal
said this was probably the result Of
Wards experience with Assistant
Marshal Kennedy some time since.
The pOundmaster had made a slight
mistake in pinching a certain dog and
was ordered to release the animal by
Officer Kennedy. "G'wan." said Col.
Ward, drawing himself up haughtily,
You amt got no bizness with me.
Use a official jes' same as you S." Mr.
Ward was then run in.
Another alderman testified that on
one occasion when he wanted the
pOundmaster he hunted the city over
for a week before he could locate
him. finally discovering him leading a
horse to the pound. In this connee-
ton certain other councilmen eX-
pressed the opinion that 1t was queer
! that While Ward never seemed to get
any Of the dogs he never missed a
horse or a COW. Another at this june
ture made some remark about the un
safety of leaving ones stable door un-
locked at night.
THE fact is, said City Marshall
MeMillin TO the council Finally,
Wards afraid Of a dog. The mar
shall went on to say that every day for
the past month he has had to hunt up
the dog catcher and start him after
the dogs and that by dint of following
up Ward night and day, tw%enty-one
CID dogs were finally disposed of
during the month. The marshal sec
onded the suggestion that the office
be allowed a little more pay and a
competent man be secured.
"Will the right kind of man BE d
dog catcher?" inquired Alderman
Wilkerson.
"He will If he gets paid enough
rejoined the marshal.
The marshal then went on to mar
rate some Of the painful and harrow
ing experiences hat the city has had
with dog catchers Of the past, refer
ring feelingly to Bennett and others,
one of whom was sent to Jail for
ninety days, others being defaultors.
horse thieves. etc.
Alderman Hanley said he had re-
ceived numerous complaints because
of the loud and discordant noises
made by the dogs detained in the city
pound, thus showing that Ward has
at least had a few dogs ~impounded.
1t has been the coloneIs procedure to
collect a certain number OF outlawed
dogs before holding an official exc
cution, 1t being cheaper and more
convenient to have all the dogs expire
on the same date than to have fre-
Quent executions. The marshal here
volunteered the information that it
took u policeman most of his time