Evening star., 1943-10-31
Only Five Summons
Issued for Failure
To Muzz|e Dogs

Police issued only five summons to
owners Of unmuzzled dogs, and ap-
proximately go warnings during the
first weeks enforcement of the Dis
trict dog quarantine following the
recent rabies outbreak, check yes
terday revealed. None of the cases
reached court, each defendant for
feiting S. collateral instead of risk
ing possible higher fine.
Seven summons were issued to
persons owning unlicensed dogs.
Complicating enforcement of the
order to muzzle dogs is the fact that
muzzles are scarce on local markets.
A check Of hardware and specially
stores disclosed that the current
supply is low, since muzzles usually
constitute spring and summer
seasonal business.
Refusal of owners OF unpluzzled
dogs to go into court prevented a
test of the Commissioners regula-
ton decreeing fines of from $40 to
$lOO upon conviction on charges of
falling to muzzle dogs and keep them
under leash in public places. How
ever, stiff fines were meted out in
Prince Georges County on similar
charges. Five Of seven defendants
were fined $50 and costs, with the
nne in one case being suspended.
Appeals were noted from the de-
clSlon OF the Trial Magistrate Court
at Upper Marlboro.
Cooperation Asked.
Meanwhile, there were these de-
velopments:
District Health Officer George C.
Rutland warned the quarantine may
last a long time" unless dog owners
display great cooperation. He re-
minded that an outbreak here in
1921 continued several years be-
cause of public indifference.
Ae report that house dog on N
street NV. died recently from rabies
after being bitten by a rat, was be-
ing investigated. The dog, its owner
said, never had come in contact
with other dogs, but died soon after
fight with rat in the backward
DR.. James G. Cumming. head of
the Health Departments Bureau of
Communicable Diseases. said he did
not believe the prevalence of rats
has any connection with the rabies
situation. 1t is most unusual he
added, for rat to be infected with
rabies.
When dog fights rat" he said.
the dog generally kills the rat,
without the rodent having a chance
TO bite the dog
53 Cases in Fairfax.
Fairfax County tVa) Health De-
partment reported SO positive cases
OF rabies this year, including II this
month, as against 10 during 1912.
Animals having rabies included 46
dogs, four cats, two COWS and a
rabbit. The county supervisors are
to meet at 3 pm. Wednesday to
consider a proposed ordinance to
curb the disease and establish a
county-operated dog pound.
At the District Pound it was stated
by an attendant that the staff was
100 BUSY to check the number of
unlicensed and stray dogs brought
there during the week, but it was
I estimated there were "over 100"
| DR.. Rutland said his office has
received complaints of dogs running
unmuzzled and unleashed. from
many sections Of the city. He said
he had instructed Poundmaster
Frank Marks to throw all the men
ne could muster into the Spring
valley area to pick up stray dogs. "
Warns of Carelessness.
preventive measures now" he
said, may ward off personal iniur-
les, possible deaths and property
damage. The situation is serious.
The fact that no cases have reached
court indicates our progress is slow
Unless the public is willing to CO.
operate, the quarantine may last
a long time"
On recommendation submitted by
the Health Department, the Com
mlSslonerS last week ordered the
quarantine put into effect for three
months and urged the public to re-
port promptly to police or other
authorltles any dogs suspected of
belng infected with rabies.
In move to wipe out a potential
source of rabies infection in Prince
Georges County, University of Mary
land officials yesterday took steps to
nave the garbage dump in the rear
OF the university stadium cleaned up,
1t has previously been reported
that large numbers of rats had been
seen at the dump. DR.. John M
Byers, county health officer. said
that while rats do not constitute a
direct menace. they might be bitten
by rabid dogs and thus spread the
disease.