The Washington times., 1936-06-30
ARLINGT0NITES
ANGRY OVER
DOG CURB

ARLINGTON COURTHOUSE,
Va. June 30.-While Arlington
county dogs were chasing cats, and
tearing UP shrubbery, for more
than two hours yesterday, their
owners were hailing wrath upon
the County Board of Commission
ers for even considering adoption
of an ordinance that would make
the CANNES virtually animals in
o cage"
Terming the proposed ordinance
as Jasmine and ridiculous" scores
OF dog owners crowded into the
county managers office here yes
terday to halt the adoption Of an
ordinance that would confine all
dogs to the property Of their own
erS.
Calls Special Meeting
So vigorous and blunt was the
assault upon the county law-mak-
erS to such a proposal that the
chairman of the commissioners,
George M. Yeatman, finally sought
to end the argument temporarily
by motioning for a special meet
ing to be held in the Circuit Court
room tomorrow night at 1880
O'Clock to discuss the matter
further.
Despite the boards agreement
to hold a special meeting in con-
sideration of the county's dogs,
which are charged with roaming
"wild" throughout the county and
attacking children, the dog lovers
present could not be restrained
from bitterly criticizing the COM
missioners further for wanting to
"do away with child's best COM
panion."
Since Circuit Court was in SeS-
sion at the time the board meet
ing was called to order yesterday,
the commissioners were forced to
hold their meeting in the county
managers office. This small Of
flee, about eight feet by 20 feet,
was packed and damned and the
ante-room adjoining was also
filled with irate citizens opposing
such a drastic" law against the
dogs Of the county.
Wants Cats Muzzled
One dog lover insisted that If
such action be taken against the
dogs that equal action should be
taken against the cats of the
county. He commended that his
neighbors had complained about
his dogs, but thought it perfectly
alright for their cats to roam and
howl all night.
Game Warden Harry Johnson
said that he had brought many
dog owners to court, but that the
laws were too easy on them. He
added that a legal ruling on dogs
gave them the privilege Of zone
bite" before they could be de-
clared vicious.
Terms of the ordinance pro-
posed by Commemorative Attor-
ney Lawrence w. Douglas, in
answer to numerous complaints
that dozens of children of the
county were being attacked by
vicious stray and unlicensed dogs,
ordered that all dogs be kept on
the property of their owner, eX-
cept when taken out on a leash,
and that no person under Is years
of age could take them out on a
leash: that all dogs over four
months of age had to be licensed,
and that the game warden or any
police officer was authorized to
shoot any dog found roaming "at
large"
Owners To Be Fined
Fines against the owner Of any
dog allowed to roam "at large
would be fixed at not less than SIS
nor more than $50.
One irate lady said that she had
lived in 81 States in this country,
but that she had never heard OF
any law this harsh" on dogs.
DR.. P. M. Chichester, county
health officer, appeared before
the commissioners and said that
some action would have to be
taken to control the stray dogs, or
else the county would find itself
in a serious condition" resulting
from diseases that could be spread
by these animals.