Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-02-04
A PLEA FOR THE DOG.

LAS the dog faithful friend of mankind since the dawn
II of history, committed some awful lcrme against
humanity that campaign of determination should be
waged against him? Yet we find state county and ctyl
united in triple alliance to end his days The price of
his existence is a three-fold tax upon his owner In
Salem he is tolerated only the prisoner of kennel
with price upon his head
While primeval man was still a forest dweller thel
dog assisted him in the chase and helped him climb the
spiral of progress toward civilization herded his focks
watched his crops protected his hut guarded his family
las he does today What has this trusted cOmpanionl
of the centuries done merit his prescription to be-
made hunte doutcast from the society he loves?
No plea for the dog is complete without quoting the
late Senator George Graham Vest of Missouri:
"The one absolute, unsefish friend that man can
have in this selfish world the that deserts him.
the that proves ungrateful treacherouS is
his dog.
"A mans dog stands by him in prosperity and in pow
erty in health and in sickness He will sleep the cold
ground where the Wntry winds blow and the snow drives
ercely if only he can be near his masters side He will
kiss the hand that has food to offer he viii lick the
wounds and that in the encounter with the
roughneSs Of the world He guards the sleep of his pauper
master as If ne were prince When all other friends
desert he remains.
"When riches take wings and reputation falls t0I
pieces he is constant in his love the sun in its jour-
ney through the heavens If fortune drives the master
forth outcast in the world friendess and homeless
the faithful dog asks higher privilege than that of
him. to guard him against danger to fight
against his enemies
"And when the last scene of all comes, and death
takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away
the cold ground no matter if all other friends pursue
their way there by the gravesde will the noble dog be-
found his head between his paws his eyes sad but open
in alert watchfuness faithful and true to DEATH
During the world war; the warfare upon dogs was in
augurated by of the vaent who stayed at home and
proved their valor by slaugherng the dogsunder the
pretense of conserving food Yet these home warriors
were put to shame by the dogs sent to the zone,
where in the trenches in norman Sand and on the bat
tlefeld they played distinguished part in winning the
war.
We were told by legislative og-roers that dogs must
go in the country because few of them kill sheepyet
for every sheep killing dog there are hundred herdng
and protecting focks Hence state tax and authoriza
on for wholesale slaughter of dogs on sight by county
peace officers.
We are informed by councimanc wiseacres that the
city no place for dogs and the superintendent of streets
is promoted to dogcatcher to place them in durance vile
to graft the owners with the alternative of sending them
to the happy hunting grounds. YET the city dog has
proved his value not only companion of children and
guardian of the home but member of the police force
thefcatcher Some of them take the place of child
among the frvoousbut this is plea for real dogs
mot pampered poodles,
What Salem needs is an ordinance licensing the dog
under whatever restrictions deemed essential Muzze
the dog, if deemed necessary, safeguard the public as
needed but make possible for man to keep his truest
friend the dog without practising cruelty to animals If
the council cannot rise to the OCCASION the initiative
should be invoked