Evening star., 1909-02-25
DOGS OF CONSTAN1INOpLE
OF THE OTTOMAN
CAPITAL-THEIR HABITS.
Government to Decide the Question
Of Getting Rid Of the Poor
Beasts.


government will have to decide definitely
the unusual question. What is to be done
with the dogs If we provide other and
adequate means of scavenging and cleans
ing the capital? Hundreds of thou
sands OF homeless beasts for generations
have scavenged the streets, and have been
almost absolute monarchs of the night.
enjoying a freedom which was denied to
man. Since man, however. has freed
himself from the tyranny Of spies the tide
of civilization Is gradually advancing, and
with the advance the determination of the
canine population is threatened. But the
difficulty is how to get rid Of these dogs.
4 Christian in mercy kills a manned, suf
fering animal; Moslem takes food to it.
believing that misfortune will befal him
If he destroys that TO which Allah has
given life. So the great uneducated mass
of Turks-Mohammedans all-will resist
the killing of the dogs, which crime was
formerly punishable by several days i'm
prisonment.
1t is said that the governor Of certain
seaport town once gave orders that all
dogs should be shipped off to an island In
the Marmora. His orders were executed,
but the island was not far enough away.
The beasts starved, and many in despera-
tiOn attempted to swim ashore. This so
frightened the inhabitants that they went
back to the mainland, believing that Allah
in his wrath would destroy their city If
the dogs perished. So the dogs were rein
stated and continued to scavenge the
town. from which the wicked governor
shortly disappeared.
During the old regime an American
glove manufacturer conceived the idea OF
utilizing the dogs of Constantinople In
his business. and offered to take the whole
canine community off the hands of the
government at / shilling head. Though
by this means the city would have been
rid of its pests and the government cof-
fers made richer by some thousands OF
pounds. Mohammedan prejudice was too
strong.
An "Old-Age" Scheme.
Turkish newspapers have now taken up
the question. and the following typically
Mohammedan proposition recently appear
ed in one-that the males and females
shall be shipped off to different islands.
where, with an attendant or two to feed
them they shall be allowed to die nat
ural deaths. If it is attempted to carry
out this "old-age pension scheme the
dogs themselves will probably have
voice in the matter. and decide which
shall live longest. since for many genera
tionS the Scavengers OF one street nave
looked upon those of another as their
sworn enemies. and as such to be fought
and conquered.
Each street or portion Of it is patrolled
by band Of from ten to twenty dogs.
which. like trained army. realizes that
union is strength. None Of a neighboring
band with safety trespasses his boundary
line in search of food. The invaded terri
tory may appear peaceful with Its guard
ians wrapped in slumber; but the invader
knows he must act with caution, Tor IL
is the sleep of one eye only. In moment
the signal is given, and the whole band
is at attention One dog. with upper lip
drawn tightly back. displaying formidably
strong white teeth, advances upon the
intruder with stately stride. emitting
warning growl, while his comrades sup
port him with short barks. Sometimes the
enemy misunderstanding hastily-to his
own territory, where his united band
awaits him; at other times the intruder.
If caught in the act OF stealing a NOR
sell decides to fight for his prize; but
be always retires with a limp and sor-
rowful air.
Friendly to Passersby.
These creatures, which exhibit so savage
a hatred of dogs from another street. are
never vicious with human beings: the
most staid old veteran among them fawns
and plays around you like puppy at the
slightest word of kindness. Standing upon
into your hand. he gently pushes the
younger ones aside. as much as to say: Il
am the boss" <And there is no doubt
about the fact, there are bosses. Strength
is everything; ii is the strongest who Is
the largest. simply because he has al
ways succeeded in getting the best pieces
from the dirt pile.
few of these miserable beasts, who
have not enough vitality TO resist the
cold and snow of winter. lie for days
shiVering against walls: then, stupG-
fled and numbed, they die. Young ones
lie curled up OH the pavements on top
of one another. to keep warm, while
the snow falls on and around them;
older and stronger fellows, apparently
unconscious Of the climatic conditions.
sleep in the road uncOncernedly.
If the city were we'll paved the dogs
would lose their beds, for they lie III
the deep holes of the broken pave
ments or take their siesta on rlfied
dirt pile: and when the streets lack
footway dOOrSteps and basement Win
dow sills are utilized.
For the mother with her litter OF
pups other beds. are found; and she is
always made more or less comfortabl
An inhabitant in one street puts out ali
old piece Of mating under the shelter
of broken step, another rigs up d
kennel in the gutter-way, another
throws her out box, or some straw;
and here the poor bag of bones. with
a beseeching look, brings up her fat.
pushing. thriving, fighting youngsters,
who when only few weeks old dis
play the instincts of their elders and
the habits Of free born city dogs.
ICAnpnTT wRTCur,S EYrNEpAY