Evening star., 1949-12-22
Council Studies
Law 10 Require
ogRabiesShots
Montgomery Hearing
Gets Six Protests on
Annual Vaccination

vaccination of dogs against rabies
were being studied today by the
Montgomery County Council.
Approximately 10 persons at
tended a hearing on the question
last night, with II speakers in
dorsing the proposal and six op-
posing it.
One of the opponents. Phil D,
Poston, prominent Silver Spring
real estate developer, charged
that the proposal "smacks of the
compulsion of the Truman Fair
Deal program" and threatened to
move to a more enlightened
State" if it Is adopted.
Heading the supporters Of the
ordinance was DR.. v. L. Ellicott
county health officer. who ex-
planned it docs not mean COM
pulsory vaccination of dogs as
SUCH" He pointed out dog owners
may either have their pets vacci-
mated once a year or keep them
confined or on leash.
Two Dogs Infected.
The health officer said he wa.
recommending enactment of the
ordinance because rabies has beer
introduced into the county by 6
dog from the Chillum section o.
Prince Georges County" He sale
several persons and dogs have
been bitten and two dogs became
i'll. There have been no cases ol
rabies among Montgomery County
residents, however, he said.
Health officers of the metro.
politan area. DR.. Ellicott asserted
have concluded annual vaccina.
ton of dogs is the best means o1
preventing the spread Of rabies.
Although it doesn't mean tn,
program should be continued "in.
definitely" he recalled that ar
aggressive program of control,
including vaccination. halted ar
epidemic several years ago.
The proposal also was supported
by DR.. A. L. Brueckner. director
of the Maryland Livestock San.
itary Service, who declared there
is sufficient evidence for the USE
of vaccine" He suggested a three.
point program of quarantine, re.
moval Of stray and unwanted dogs
and vaccination.
=. c. Record Cited.
Walter Broening of the Allied
Civic Group of Silver Spring. re-
ported his organization had
unanimously indorsed" the pro-
posal. He said $4,000 dogs had
been vaccinated in the District
without i'll effects. adding that is
pretty conclusive evidence Of no
Ill effect"
John Anderson OF the National
Capital Kennel Club and the Dog
Rights Association, said he feels
the program should be instituted" !"
and Stanford Chester. president
of the Montgomery County AMI
NAL Rescue League, speaking as
an individual, declared he can see
mo objections" to the proposal.
Mr.. Chester said, however, that
a proposed 81 fee to cover ex-
penses of the vaccination and the
county's rabies control program,
might cause a degree of disco
operation He said a dog owner
who has had his pet vaccinated
by a private veterinarian possibly
should not be required to pay the
county fee.
Harold j. Hilliard, representing
Takoma Park, said the City Coun-
Gil had voted opposition to the
fee, because Takoma Park dog
owners are required to purchase
a city license.
Among others 9 favoring the
measure were Mrs. William
Hinckley. representing the Public
Lay Health Council and the Ad-
visory Health Committee; c. j
Ireland, of the Fox Hounds Pro.
tective Association. and Allan B
Fay. president of the Montgomery
County Civic Federation.
The proposal was opposed by
James D. King of the County
Farm Bureau, who declared he
did not think it necessary to put
people to the expense (of the vac
cination) until we have another
outbreak"
w. A. Neacey, of the Dog Own
ers' Association, who declared he
was opposed to the compulsory
feature Of the BILL" asked If the
movement was being dictated
from Washington"
Mr.. Neacey said he would like tt
see a voluntary system of vacci.
nation" coupled with regulation.
keeping dogs on the leash in urbar
areas and under control" in the
rural areas.
He also objected to the require.
ment that vaccinating veteri.
narians be licensed in Maryland
Under questioning by Councilman
Thomas c. Kelley, Mr.. Neacey sale
his group had not acted on the
proposal but that he had pollet
about 105 of the 600 members BY
telephone and found them op.
posed to it.
Other opponents included Mrs
H. D. Albin Of the Animal Protec.
tive Association; Mrs, Alma r
Opal, Takoma Park, and County
Agent o. w. Anderson, who asked
for a program on a voluntary
basis.
County Embezz|ing Case
fnnfnnrinn Dnfnrrnd