White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-10-09
RAB|D DOGS AGAIN
ROAM ELY STREETS


rabies were killed in Ely Monday
forenoon and their heads shipped to
Reno. The entire rabies situation
appears to have been set back to
where it was in the first place and
orders are again in effect that all
dogs be muzzled or they will be shot
on sight.
The two dogs that ran wild Mon
day are known TO have bitten several
other dogs, and every dog under sus-
picion of having been bitten was at
once located and killed. Thus far
fortune has favored the community
inasmuch as no human being has
been bitten or infected, so far as IS
known. and this is considered re-
markable as in every instance the
dogs that have run amuck have
ranged over considerable territory,
with every opportunity to meet poo
pie. particularly children.
The insidiousness of the disease is
one of its alarming features. One of
the dogs killed last Monday belonged
in East Ely and had given no previ-
Gus indications OF illness. He had
been kept muZzled during the previ-
Gus period of quarantine and was a
dog not in the habit of being away
from home. day or night. Sunday
night he was given his supper as usu-
al and later in the evening followed
his usual custom of going to bed in
the established place. Later in the
night. or about 1890, the dog
aroused the family by indicating he
was thirsty and after being given
some water wanted to go out. That
was the last seen of MIN until his
headless body was identified Monday
afternoon N Ely by a member of the
family. There appears to be no doubt
but that this dog was fatally infected
but there were no marked symptoms
to cause suspicion or alarm in ad-
vance. and the disease must have de-
veloped with rapidity in the final
stages
1t is the opinion of many that ra-
bies will continue a menace in this
county for some time to come. The
epidemic has resulted in the ami
hilation of a large number of dogs
and the innocent have had to suffer
along with the guilty, as is always
the case, II every owner or custo-
dian of dog in White Pine county
had TO pay for dog license or have
his dog destroyed the dog situation
would be improved to a point that
would be a considerable factor in
public safety. Residents of the city
of Ely are supposed to pay license
fees for keeping dogs. but the ordi-
nance is said to have been in6iffer-
entity enforced. while outside the city
limits. where no licenses are requir-
ed. dogs have accumulated in need
less number.
II the requirement of license was
general and the enforcement sincere
the dog question would be under con-
troll and no such situation would
arise as has developed. Anyone who
cares enough about 4 dog to pay the
license fee does not offer any objec-
tion at being obliged to, and anyone
who does object should be barred
from keeping dog on general prin-
ciples.
Another custom that is inhuman.
selfish and cowardly is the practice
of dog owners moving out of the dis
trict and leaving their animals un-
provided Tor. This practice is the
direct cause of the present situation
in Fly. About two years ago a fam
lily left East Ely and went to Utah to
reside. They left two dogs homeless
and uncared for. One of the animals
was a female and the other was one
Of her puppies. These two dogs be-
came outcasts and scavengers and
the mother was eventually fatally
poisoned. The pup grew to maturity
but was a stray. making his home
anywhere or with anyone who would
feed him, but in the main ranging
far and wide. leading a half wild ex-
istenoe and mixing up in numerous
fights with other dogs. From some
source, probably from running with
coyotes. this dog became infected
with rabies and was the first dog to
run amuck in Ely and to be killed
at the beginning of the rabies epi-
demic which started last summer and
is still continuing its menace and its
swath of expense, anxiety and sor-
1t is a sorrow to q per-
son who appreciates dog TO have
his pct thus destroyed.
The point is that il this family
had been required to pay dog IL
cense either they would have had DO
dog or. having one. would have pro-
vided for Ii upon moving away form
East Ely. AS IL was they had two
dogs, both mongrels. and the present
rabies epidemic is the result.
There is no sense or reason in q
the size of the Ely dis
trict being overrun with stray dogs,
yapping, fighting. chasing automo-
hiles. worrying stock and constitut-
ing general nuisance and menace.
II the commissioners have the
authority they will be justified in cr-
dering that all dog owners pay IL
censes or get rid OF their dogs, then
instruct the sheriff's force to see that
the order is enforced. and by this
means make general cleanup that
will separate the responsible dogs
from the strays. This will go a long
way toward giving the community a
clean bill of health so far as rabies
10 Gannarnad