The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-01
COMMISSIONER AvERILL SAYS
 DOCS MUST BE WATCHED

Commissioner on Domestic Animals
 H. O. Averill has taken action in re-
 gard to the lax enforcement of the
 ruls that dogs must be muzzled in
 certain towns This action has been
 taken in the form of letter in which the commissioner expresses his att
 tude and criticism. The letter, which
 has been sent to towns where such a
 rule applies, is given below;
 Complaints have been made to me that my rules forbidding any dog to
 be allowed to go at large in your towns except it wear a muzzle Of such construction as to absolutely prevent it's biting, is not being strictly en- desire to call your attention to the fact that made this rule because l
 protect personal property and human life. A rabid dog has been at large in your town and has had the oppor- tunity and the mania to bite other to develop the disease, and, if at lib erty, will almost surely start out on a
 wild chase through your your town town ana ana | ing every dog, domestic animal and | human being that crosses his path in his mad career.
 terrible suffering and agony of one human being, yes. even of one dog, or | of one horse, or one COW; slowly put surely dying of the malady, IS 1ncon- ceivabIy greater than the combined unpleasantness and inconvenience caused all the dogs in your several towns by wearing nuzzles for period of three months.
 l No person considers it cruelty to compel a horse to wear a br1dle and some will even yank the bit in the horses. mouth because he does not want to stand still long enough to let the driver express his views about the l cruelty of compelling dogs to wear muzzles for the short period required by my rules.
 It, should be borne in mind that dogs do not have any inherent right to run at large in a civilized community at any time and that it is no abridge- ment of their rights to. keep them in close confinement for, such length Of time as is thought best for the public good. It is a, concession to the dog to permit him to be at large even with 8. Tauzzle on in a community like yours where a ra,bid dog has been at large q1nmuzzled.
 l If you will very carefully read Sec ton 6, Chapter 55, Public Acts <of 1903, you will see that the commissioner on domestic animals is given arbitrary power to make at any time, rules for controlling or destroying dogs in any
 the security of the inhabitants or their
 property, and selectmen and dog war denS are given plenary authority to
 liH on sight, all dogs not controlled
 in accordance with such rules, or
 which shall be found rabid, or justly suspected of being rabid, or found do- l ing mischief if unattended by a care
 taker, or are found killing or worrying 1 domestic animals, etc. and to
 receive $3 for every dog so killed. Sec
 ton IA, Chapter 167. Public Acts of 1 1907, provides a penalty of fine or inn 1 prisonment or both, for every person violating any rule legally made, and | makes it the duty of the dog wardens l and prosecuting officers to diligently | inquire after and prosecute any viola l ton thereof This section also says the commissioner on domestic animals shall upon the complaint of any per- son that any such officer is dfliatory dsra and take such action as he shall