The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-08-19
TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1919.
THE WALLER DOG

So long as man remains human
50 long will he love dog; and shoV
Us a man who is not moved to low
by the intelligence, devotion AM
courage of a dog and we will shoV
Won a man who is fit for most an!
evil in the category Of crimes. That's
a strong statement, but it goes
When you hear a man say that ne
hates all dogs, begin to doubt that
man: for there is something abnor'
NAL about him.
There are three time-worn counts
against the dog, "mad-dog," "sheep-
killing-dog," and "worthless-cur'
w;thout-an-owner." The first is a
bug-bear that sometime "happens,"
though many eminent scientists as
sert that there is no such thing as
rabies, but that infection from the
bite of the so-called mad dag is d
possibility. But we wont argue that
question. Admitting infrequent
cases of rabies, no case is made
against the dog; for the canine in his
widest moments never approached
the destruction wrought by man gone
berserker.
The "sheep-killing-dog" is the
dogs worst enemy, for there is plen-
ty of evidence that dogs. will go
wrong in this respect. On the other
hands dogs are Indispensable in COM
munities where sheep raising is an
industry of some magnitude. In such
communities the matter is accepted
; IN unfortunate fact and handled
sensibly and without rabid prejudice
and the dog is loved none the less be-
cause a few of the species indulge in
sheep killing.
The last named count against the
dog, that of the worthless cur, run
ming at large is the most easily
handled and there should be no trou-
BILE where the question is treated in
telligently. The simple expedient
of licensing the dog and enforcing
that license obviates the question.
The following was printed in the
Newberry Observer on its face
worthless evidence-but showing the
:1human, senseless and unreasoning
prejudice with some against the dog:
Speaking of worthless ours that
roam the country, killing sheep, suck
ing eggs and eating young chicks, we
are reminded of some things that
may interest the people and may
show where the blame lies for the
Existence of so. many dogs.
"It was only a few years ago when
= farmer of this county, the late De-
catur Boozer, had the misfortune to
have one of more of his dogs bitten
by rowing mad dog; that is, it was
supposed they had been bitten, for
numbers were found mad and fight
ing and biting each other. He lost
more than a hundred dollars worth
of hogs by hydrophobia-caused by
a dog not worth thirty cents"
The dog is blamed whether or no.
The man lost his hogs and manlike
at the loss of anything, sought to
blame someone-and his rage fell
upon the defenseless dog. That's all
that amounts to.
There is no objection to an intel
ligent dog law controlling the situa-
tion as it is controlled in sections of
this country and other countries,
where dogs are useful members of
the community. Forget this silly,
prejudiced agitation and deal with
the dog as he is, a being of devotion,
honesty and love, courageous in all
things and so constant as to put man
to shame.
He was mans companion and help
meet in the neolithic age; he is mans
intelligent friend in this alleged
civilized day. The dog has kept
step with man in his development
T.