The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-06-04
SUGGESTIONS AS TO DOGS.

Theihorrible death of gentleman in
the city of New York a short time ago
from hydrOphobia may be cited as an
instance showing the danger to human
life from contact with rabd dogs. The
victim in this case had not been bitten.
but after dressing the wound of pet
dog his hand came in contact with a
slight sore on his side caused by a
scratch, and in this way he contracted
the dread smalady and died in great
agony a few days later He had not
the slightest idea that the dog was af-
ficted with rabies.
This distressing case and numerous
others whichihave recently occurred in
various large cities, including Balti-
m ore, where little girls face was ter
ribly bitten a.day or two ago by dog
believed.ito be tmad, have awakened
people far and wide to the extreme i'm
portance of greater precaution in deal
ing with the canine family In Balti-
more the. newspapers land the city au-
thoritiesEare aroused upon this subject,
and steps are being taken to inaugurate
stringentiregulations for the protection
of the public from vicious or rabid dogs.
Says the Baltimore Sun in a recent is
sue: 1--WE appreciate entirely the adj
municipalities of the dog and the af-
feetion in which this loyal and usually
lovable animal is iheldS by his owner.
But none OF US can conscientiously deny
the safetytofss the public is matter of
far greater importance than the unre-
strlcted freedom of the dog. The fdel-
ity. the courage and the comradeship of
the dog ought not to blind any of US to
the fact thatIit is not safe to allow
these animals to roam the streets with
out effective control. The issue is not,
as some argue, mainly crusade on the
part of thoseewho dislike dogs against
those whoare fond of dogs. The question
is much broader than mere repugnance
to dogs. 1t is Fundamentally matter
of protecting the people of this city
from one of the most frightful diseases.
1t is matter of saving human life by
Imposing necessary. restrictions upon
dogs. tits in the final analysis. mat
ter of simple justice.and humanity, and
We are satisfied that as the majority of
owners off dogs are. humane and just
they will meet the issue in that spirit.
In Baltimore within the last few weeks
chillreni have sbeen attacked on the
streets by dogs and some of them horri-
bly, torn and mutilated. Worse than
the wounds, however, is the lurking
dread of hydrophobia. 1t may be pos
sible to.make. Baltimore like Berlin, a
city without rabies But if this is to
be accomplished, public sentiment must
cooperate with THE authorities. There
must be thorough appreciation by all
elements of ours population of the vital
need of enforcing regulations..whch will
give the publics Immunity from attacks
by dogs"
These suggestions applyto every city
and town, every hamlet and farm,
where dogs are permitted to run at
large at will; especiallysare these sug-
gestions applicable to Oakland and the
, county at larges.since alrapid dog, sup
posedly, ran amuck ..thrOughi Oakland
on Sunday morning lost, attacking a
number of other dogs in the streets. 1t
may not be possible in the country to
apply regulations as effective as those
that may be enforced in the cities, but
in the absencelof such regulations peo-
pie cannot be too careful, especially
just now, of the!manner in which they
control their dogs and also in guarding
themselves and their children from at
tack by the dogs of other people, Sc
many of which are allowed to run at
large thrOughOutsthe town and county.
All dogs should be tied up, both in
town and country, and the action of
Council Monday night in passing the or
dinance governing.the running at large
of dogs is onelto be highly commended.