The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-01-13
RESOLUTIONS OF
RABIES CONFERENCE

L
dns of Humboldt county, chairman of
the executive committee, were unani-
n.ously adopted:
Whereas, An epidemic of rabies or
iginating without the borders of the
State of Nevada has spread within the
past eight months until the infected
area now embraces practically the
northern half of the State of Nevada
and is still spreading over the State
with alarming rapidity; and
Wher cas-. This infection has become
grave menace to human life and has
already destroyed livestock to the
value of more than one hundred
thousand dollars; and
Whereas, This epidemic is traceable
primarily to the coyote, a predatory
animal, difficult or impossible to con-
troll except by exter mination, which
can alone be made possible by the
joint action of the various counties
and municipalities within the State of
Nevada in cooperation with the ad-
joining States and the Federal govern
ment; and
Whereas, The statistics of those who
have been already bitten in this
State show that so per cent of them
have been bitten by dogs, thus DEM
onstrating the dog to be the chief
menace in the carrying of this cpl
demic to humans and equally respon-
sible with the coyote for the infection
of livestock; and
Whereas, There exists no body or
department in Nevada authorized to
act for the entire State, nor has there
been specific appropriation of funds
either by the counties or by the State
for the purpose of stamping out this
epidemic; and
Whereas, Adjoining States have sig
nifed a willingness to Cooperate in the
determination of predatory animals
and the control of domestic carriers
of the disease, which cooperation
would be Intellectual unless accompa-
MED by similar action in Nevada; and
Whereas the Federal government
has indicated its willingness to CO.
operate with the Western States in the
control of the infection provided such
States proceed with the control of the
infection along lines approved by the
national government; therefore. be it
resolved
1. That a central commission be
established to be known as the Ne
vada rabies commission and to consist
of five members, three to be appointed
by the Governor of the State, the Gov
ernor of the State and DIR. w. B. Mack
to be the two additional members.
?. That the County Commissioners
of each county and the governing
boards of all incorporated and unin-
corporated towns and cities be urged
- 49, III
mission full power to enter into nego-
tiations and agreement with the Fed
eral government for cooperation look
ing to the control of rabies in this
State, and to cooperate with the said
government; that in the meantime. or
Just as soon as possible, this commits
sion shall take such steps as they can
toward the control of rabies in locali-
ties now infected: and further. that
said commission be authorized by the
County Commissioners of each county
to distribute such men as may be en-
ployed throughout the State as may be
deemed wise by said commission.
8. That in order to finance the un-
dertaking, each Board of County Com.
missioners of the State. of Nevada
be urged to Immediately take the
necessary steps by emergency loan o.
otherwise, to secure for the purpose
of a campaign against the epidemic
of rabies now existing in this State,
sum of money which will be equivalent
to the amount which would be realized
by a three and one-half (3R) cent
tax on each one hundred dollars of the
assessed valuation of the taxable prop
erty of the respective counties of the
State; and that such money be appro-
priated by such boards solely for the
purpose of carrying out a cooperative
campaign against the carriers of the
said disease.
4. That the State government be
requested to provide. by any means in
their power a fund of not less than
twenty-five thousand dollars. to be en-
ployed under the direction of the Ne
vada rabies commission in this co-op-
erative campaign; and further. that
the State board of stock commission
ers and the State board of sheep COM
missioners be urged to contribute to
the full extent of their financial abil-
ity.
5. That the various County Com
missioners of the State of Nevada be
requested in order to prevent the
dumping of coyotes killed in one coun-
ty upon another. which might occur
in the absence of a uniform bounty.
to place a uniform bounty of one dol
lar on coyote scalps. to take effect as
soon as this cooperative plan is put
in operation.
6. Be ii further resolved That the
Nevada rabies commissions be author
lied by the various Boards of County
Commissioners to formulate rigid
rules and regulations for adoption by
the said counties and the munieipali-
ties of this State. looking to the effect
i've control of dogs and other domesti-
Gated animals; and
Whereas. In the opinion of this con-
ference an emergency of the gravest
character. brought about by a serious
epidemic of rabies exists. requiring
the expenditure OF State funds not spe-
cifieally appropriated; and
Whereas. The State authorities have
hean urged IN create dedcfancfas N