Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1911-03-31

With the opening Of Spring comes
along the nsusl complaint Of losses
Of sheep by worthless dogs. The
depredations Of this kind oftener
occur in the Spring than at any
other time Of the year because the
sheep hocss are less protected, the
hard weather Of winter being over,
and for a second reason dogs being
long confined and half sisrved at the
confines Of their owners me more
inclined TO rambls and hunt than at
any other season Of the year, and ii
Is while on these "a rbling trips they
kill sheep. Accounts Of two Killings
Of sheep by dogs are noted in our
news columns this week and it We
may judge the future by the past
more are likely to come along.
II seems that our people cannot
awaken to the profit in sheep
husbandry. Those who know Of the
profit that is in the business are slow
in their efforts to try 20 protect the
industry, and those not in the bust
ness appear to have no sympathy for
the success of the former, their
farmer neighbors and friends.
It is not the inclination Of broad
minded and public spirited citizens
to prevent altogether the keeping Of
dogs. Dogs are often usefu, and
even as pets they are class Of
animals Of which the human being
can form the warmest attachment.
But too many Digs is serious
offense against ever conception Of
economy and therefore detrimental
TO the material welfare Of our people
and worthless dogs are an ind.fensi-
Bile nuisance. 50, Why, in common
sense canno, people arise TO the
necessity Of the curtsi,msnt Of, the
number of such animals. Il seems
hard TO do hut i. should be done.
There are two ways to remedy the
evil. One is by taxation aad the
Other by rohibition. Tax every
dog or prevent every family from
keeping more than a limited number.
II dog is not worth the amoant Of
ANAL tar shoot him. II it is not
advisable TO tax them, if the number
is limited, persons will oaIy keep
good dogs and take cara Of thsm.
Taxing them seems o lie the better
proposition and this has been attempt
cd 10 be done in thu County but il
has been practically Lulliiivd by the
County Commissioners whose duty,
il is made to enforce the law. Il 10
MT for Them to say whether TIE las
is popular Or not or to question It's
constitutionality. The l.sw is on
the Statute books and they should
see it enforced and il is up to them 10
explain to the people whose servants
they are, when they have been SO
derelict 10 their duty in that respect.
1t is likely their answer will be that
q suit has been brought by a few
individuals to test the constitutional
ty Of the Law. T..is is so, hut it is
no excuse.
No injunctioas has been served
upon them, nor legal step taken TO
interiors with them in the perfor-
nance Of this duty. The suit was
brought last July, nine months ago,
and it hangs upon the Court docket.
The Court is ready and at hand, if it
were necessary to even get a con-
stitution of the Law, but as the
matter now stande it is not. No
effort has been made 10 bring the
case to trial. A number Of persons
have paid the tax and number of
others have not, but are ready and
willing to do SO. Perhaps the County
Commissioners are waiting for anoth-
er mandamus sn.t, with the answer
ready, ''it has been left to our