The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-10
THE STRAY AND HOMELESS DOG.
Statement 10y the President Of the Society
for the Prevention OF Cruelty 70 Animals.

Statement by the President Of the Society
To THE EDITOR OF THE suN--sir. 80
much has been printed recently regarding
tho dog question that we deem II advis-
able TO make known clearly the position
of the society on tho subject
Any impression that may have been
formed that the society In opposed TO the
proper regulation OF dogs in tho oity is
erroneous as 10 also the Oft repeated
statement that II does not believe that
there exists s,fch q disease as rabies In
the dog or hydrophobia In man. II the
authorities believe that the safety OF the
public demands the muzzlins Of all dogs,
dog owners should comply with the regu-
iation forthwith.
While the number Of stray and home
less dogs at large In smaller than ever BE-
foro, Il cannot be denied that vicious and
dangerous dogs are allowed BY their own
ers to roam the streets unrestrained, and
citizens are attacked. The responsibility
rests with the owner Of the dog nine timee
out Of ten. The fact that the license law
has been complied with does not exempt
the dog from the provisions Of other
proper laws or regulations. No ono has
tho right to permit vicious dog TO run
at large unrestrained. or TO allow his ami
mar TO become a nuisance In any sense
whatever. and to humenely dispose OF
such an animal II the owner refuses to
act is Justiiable, and in the best interest
Of the properly kept dog. II Is high time
that the dog owners were alive TO their
responsibility as such.
Now as TO the societys work In Kidding
the streets OF homeless, strayed and I'M
licensed dogs. This necessary but un-
popular function was bestowed on the
society by the Legislature Just twenty
years ago as the result OF an agitation
which had for It's object the substitution
OF decent and humane methods. culminat-
ing In the firm resolve of the public at
large to take the dog out OF politics. Act
ing under the law tho society has built up
a system which has grown with the citys
needs and has improved with age and
experience. II has built and maintains
three modern, sanitary and sprendidly
equipped shelters for animals, and has in
regular service ten automobile ambu-
lances and four horse drawn vehicles
and from time TO time makes suoh acces-
sions to this equipment as may be ncces
sary IN special instances. II takes up and
humanity deetroya annually $4,000 homo
less, sick or injured dogs and about
100000 unwsnted and inourabls oata The
number OF dogs disposed Of = scv-
oral times greater than that taken up
under the old city dog catchers re-
gime Tho city made no provision for
taking up the oats and yet they have
been proved to be among the most ef-
feotive propagators OF disease Cats
multiply with astonishing rapidty ;
they lead wretched lives when left to
themselves. suffering the tortures Of
hunger. thirst and disease and II seems
evident that II the homeless cats can be
destroyed without pain II Is best for
the animals themselves. as we'll as for
humanity at large.
II may be OF interest to mention that
some time ago tho society set apart
accommodations at It's Manhattan and
Brooklyn shelters for the use OF the
Board OF Health In ,seeping suspected
dogs under observation. II IL our de-
sire to cooperate. In every proper way.
with tho health authorities and other
departments in serving the best interests
of the public
IL the impression Is general that the
society derives a profit from the dog
license fees we are glad OF this oppor-
tunity 10 correct II. The report OF the
certified public accountants. published In
the last annual report, will show that
during the past three years tho expense
OF conducting this branch OF the so
c1ety's activities exceeded the license
fees by more than $4,000. It must be
plain. therefore that there Is no profit
pleasure TO be derived from the admin
!strauon OF this important trust other
than the knowledge that public duty
on behalf Of mankind and tho animals
themselves ID beins performed.
ALFRED WAosrAyv,
President