The Washington herald., 1908-06-17
MUST MUZZLE DOGS
Commissioners Obey Man.
date Of the President.
CAME IN FORM OF A LETTER
Conference Held, and an Order Is
Forthwith Issued to Owners Of
CANNES I'm the DistEict Of COIum-
bin-TrIcd in 1899 and Was Not
Observation-Disclosures of Muzzles.

At the request Of President Roosevelt,
the District Comm issioners yesterday aft
ernOon issued an order requiring all dogs
running at large" in the District in the
next six months 10 5e muzzled.
The request OF the President came I'm
the form OF a letter 10 the Commissioners.
stating that upon the representations
made 70 him by the Department of Agri-
culture. he thought It desirable that pro-
vision be made for the muzzling of dogs
at large for the next six months. and that
it should be made as soon as possible.
After a conference, the Commissioners
decided to comply with his request, and so
Informed him.
Text of the Order.
An order was adopted and announced
as follows:
June 16. 1908
Under the provisions Of section Of
the act OF Congress. approved June -
1873. entitled An act to create revenue
in the District Of Columbia by levying
tax upon all dogs therein. to make such
dogs personal property, and for other
purposes the Commissioners hereby give
nollCe lndL every Dog IN SalQ DlSLrlCL
shall. for a period Of six months from this
date, wear a good and substantial muzzle.
securely put on. so as 20 prevent II from
biting or swapping; and any dog going at
large during said period withouts such
muzzle shall be taken up by the pound
master and impounded"
Commissioner MacfarIand last night
said that the Commissioners. having COM
piled with the Presidents request. would
see % II that the order is effectively en-
forced. The necessary detailed instruc-
tions will be given TO the health officer
and poundmaster at once.
This action has brought 10 a sudden
termination the discussion which has been
going for several weeks. concerning the
danger of rabies at this period or the
year. and the best methods Of guarding
against the disease The muzzle il the
suggestion OF DR.. Mohler, chief of the
Bureau Of Animal Industry. as the only
solution Of the problem In contradiction
the Commissioners have claimed that the
muzzle has been tried and found not Il
reach the real cause Of the trouble. name
ly, the stray dog.
The new order. evidently. applies only
to dogs running loose, and not 10 those
carried in arms or secured by leash. II
is from the unsecured animal that pro-
tectlon Is needed. and at which the order
is aimed.
Tried Before in 1899.
When the plan Of muzzling was tried
in 1899 those most familiar with dogs and
their habits, carefully studied the vari
Gus kinds of muzzles put upon the marke
by dealers.
The conclusion was reached that tn,
most humane and safe muzzle Is tn,
wire one. which fits securely over tn,
dogs head, and while permitting tn,
opening and closing Of his jaws. at tn,
same time is so fastened as to make I
impossible for the animal TO shake Il off
Dog owners should take careful notict
OF this new order and comply with /
by muzzling their dogs at once. Other
wise they stand liable TO have their pc
animals taken up by the poundmaste
and his assistants. regardless of whethe
they wear a. tag or not.