Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-05-29
SUGGESTIONS AS TO DOGS.


The horrible death OF gentleman in the
city OF New York q short time ago from
hydrophobia may be cited as an instance
showing the danger TO human life from con-
tact with rabid 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 scratch, and In this way he contracted
the dread malady and died in great agony
few days later. He had not the slightest
idea that the dog was afflicted with rabies.
This distressing case and numerous others
which have recently occurred in various
large cities, including Baltimore, where
little girls face was terribly bitten day or
two ago by dog believed to be mad, have
awakened people far and wide to the ex-
treme importance of greater precaution in
dealing with the canine family. In Balti-
more the newspapers and the city authori.
ties are aroused upon this subject, and steps
are being taken to inaugurate stringent reg
ulations for the protection of the public
from vicious or rabid dogs Says the Balti'
more Sun in a recent issue: 1--WE appreciate
entirely the admirable qualities OF the dog
and the affection In which this loyal and
usually lovable animal is held by his own
or. But none OF rs can conscientiously de-
ny that the safety Of the public is matter
Of far greater importance than the unre-
stricted freedom of the dog. The fidelity,
the courage and the comradship OF the dog
ought not to blind any of US to the fact that
1t is not safe to allow these animals to roam
the streets without effective control. The
issue is not, as some argue, mainly cru
SADIE on the part OF those who dislike dogs
against those who are fond OF dogs. The
question is much broader than a mere res
pugnance 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 impos-
ing necessary restrictions upon dogs. II is
10 the final analysis, matter Of simple JUS
tice and humanity, and we are satisfied that
as the majority of owners of dogs are hu-
name and just they will meet the issue in
that spirit. In Baltimore within the last
few weeks children have been 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 possible to make
Baltimore like Berlin, city without rabies.
But If this is toDe accomplished, public SEN
timent must co operate with the authorities.
There must be thorough appreciation by all
elements Of our population Of the vital need
of enforcing regulations Witch will give the
public immunity from attacks by dogs"
These suggestions apply :, every city and
town, and, indeed, to every section Of the
country where dogs are pc nltted to run at
large at will. 1t may not hSpossible in the
country to apply regulations as effective as
those that may be enforced in the cities and
towns, but in the absence OF such regula-
tions people cannot be too 'areful especial
ly at this time of the year, of the manner
in which they control thei- dogs and also
in guarding themselves and their children
from attat by the dogs Of other people, so
many of which are permitted to run at large
throughout the rural sections.