Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-02-22
GOOD BYE, BUZZARD
Old Spreader Of Disease No Longer
Under Protection Of Law.

Under Protection Of Law.
The anu-buzzard law enacted by
the general assembly at its recent
session was introduced purely at the
request Of the law and legislation
committee Of the chamber OF COM
merce. says The Charleston Post.
The committee investigated the sub
ject very thoroughly, obtained expert
opinions. decided that the huzzard
was decidedly Il menace 10 successful
stock raising in South Carolina. ana
asked the Charleston delegation TO IN
troduce a measure which would eN-
empt the buzzard from the law MAX
ing it Il criminal onense 10 kill.
wound, or capture any Wild bird other
than game bird. The chamber of
commerce is glad that the measure
was passed and feels that 1t has been
instrumental in removing one OF the
chief nuisanccS To successful hog
raising.
Needless TO say. before taking any
definite steps. the chambers's COM
mittec got opinions from leading au-
thurities on the subject. including the
bureau of animal industry Of the
United States department of agricul-
ture at Washington and the stat"
veterinarian Of South Carolina at
clemson college. DR.. w. \. Barnettc
assistant state veterinarian. wrote
the following letter to the acting sec
retary Of the committee:
Il have your letter Of the first (oc-
tober), asking for Il statement from
an animal disease carrier. especially
hog cholera. This office has always
regarded the buzzard as menace TO
the livestock industry. especially cat
tie and hogs. 1t is an easy matter
for the buzzard to carry the germs OF
Symptomatic Anthrax. Hemorrhasic
Septicemia and hog cholera on its
body and feet. each Of these diseases
being a detriment TO the livestock IN
dustry. While this is not list of all
the diseases which the buzzard might
carry from one farm to another, II
only suggests some OF the more I'M
portant diseases which each year
prove Il great loss 10 the livestock IN
dustry Of this state. The veterinary
division will heartily endorse any
movement which can be taken toward
exterminating the buzzar6 "
1t Is within the personal knowl-
edge Of the writer that the veterin-
ary division OF Clemson college has
for several years sought to exter-
inmate the buzZard from South caro-
lima and has made at least one at
tempt to have the legislature enact
lust such a measure as II has now
enacted. The writer remembers near
ing DIR. NJ Ray Powers. former state
veterinarian say repeatedly that the
buzzard caused Il large proportion OF
the hig cholera in South Carolina, ana
that the disease could hardly be
fought with complete success 80 long
as farmers were prohibited by law
from killing buzzards. II is certain
that DIR. r. o. Feeley. the present
state veterinarian. holds similar
views. What is more. it Is within the
personal knowledge Of the writer that
many farmers who know the danger
of buzzards have slaughtered them at
every opportunity. regardless "f the
law. In addition to spreading disease
buzzards are known to prey upon
newly farrowed pigs and the writer
has frequently seen i man stationed
in a field with gun to pick of buzz
yards and protect some new pigs
which were there. The buZZard not
only carries hog cholera. but is car
rier of the deadly anthrax. one Of the
most dreaded and dreadful of dis
eases. The view OF the chamber OF
commerce il that farmers should he
apprised of the charge in the law and
should be encouraged to kill OF the
buzzards as rapidly as possible. Espe-
cially at the present time does II
seem to be q patriotic duty to take
every step which will facilitate the
greater production Of livestock.