The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-06-10

In order 10 reduce TO a minimum the
danger of rabies Dr. Nathaniel G.
KeiiIe, director of the Pasteur Insti-
tue, Baltimore, declares dogs should not
be permitted to run at large and that
when they are permitted on the streets
they should be muzzIed securely and
held by q leash.
DIT IIeiT-l, in an interview given to
The I mes. is emphatic in declaring that
10 man has the right to allow his dog
10 run free. He points out that rabies
is not confined TO mOngrels and that il
develops in well-bred. weII-cared-for
dogs as we'll as in the street dog, who
looks for his food iii the cutters.
incidentally the doctor points out that
many OF the muzzles which are used on
dogs are worthless, this being the prin-
cipal reason he says, why both muzzles
and Ieashes should be. used.
DR.. Keirle's Views.
In my opinion" said DR.. Keirle. the
best way to prevent the spread OF
rabies is TO compel the owners Of dogs
~ keep them where, and in such a man
ner that, any chance Of their becoming
infected with the germs of hydrophobia
must necessarily be remote. and where.
should they become infected, they can
DO no harm. This may not always be an
easy thing 10 do. Nevertheless. it seems
10 be the best solution of the problem.
Il have always maintained. q" continued
the doctor. THAT neither in the city nor
IN the country should dogs be- permitted
10 run at large. 1t is impossible TO tell
when they are going TO develop rabies.
or even become violent. and do injury
without developing the disease. There
Loies when they are permitted TO run al
viii, the safety of the public is. To a
more OF less extent, endangered. Such
a thing should not be. No inferior being
has right 10 abrldge the rights OF SUI
peTiOT beings. No animal should he al
, lowed to interfere with the privileges of
man or Increase the periIs 10 which he
Is subjected, if such thing can be pre-
vented.
The truth Of what 1 have said was
3 very IOrclbly Impressed upon me today
when man living in the southern part
OF Baltimore brought to me for treat
nent his two small children, both Of
whom had been bitten by a mad dog
said.
Dogs down our way seem to have
mere privileges than the people. The
dogs can go where they please but we
nave 70 keep our children in the house
on their lives are constantly in dan
Muzzle and Leash Dogs.
when 1 said that dogs should never
be allowed 10 run at large meant that
they should never be taken upon the
public highways without being muzzlCd
and held by a leash. At home they
should be kept in an Enclosure from
which escape is impossible, and where
other dogs cannot get at them. Of
course, hunting dogs while in the field
and dogs used for herding or driving
cattle and so forth, are presumed TO oe
under the control OF their owners. and
upon private property where they con-
-stitute no menace to the public safety.
and. therefore. could not be regarded as
running al large What 1 am irving
10 make clear is that. in my opinion, 10
man has right to allow his dog to
go OFF of his private property without
securing II so that IL can do no harm
say this and I have owned a number
of dogs myself.
Now as to the muZZling OF dogs rs
a method Of affording greater protection
10 the public. Naturally, 1 regard muZ-
Zles as q good thing provided they are
the right kind. Muzzling is good for
the dog and good for the public but
strap or leather muZZles. such as are
used are worthless To af-
ford any protection they would have 20
be fitted so tight that thev would keep
the dogs mouth closed, and such a muz-
.Zle would be but an instrument Of tor
ture- A dogs peculiar way Of breathing
in short quick gasps or pants makes il
necessary for him to have his mouth