THE MUZZLING ORDERS.
LTO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR. "] SIR,—In the last return published by Sir Charles Warren of the dogs destroyed in the streets of London, supposed to be suffering from rabies, much stress is laid on the decrease in the numbers of those found to be really mad. No doubt this is very satisfactory ; but, at the same time, it really only goes to prove what I think no sensible person would deny,—namely, that the muzzling order has been of great use in clearing the streets of the multitude of ownerless and neglected dogs that were latterly becoming a serious danger to society, both human and -canine. It in no way meets the objections of those who think that a proper system of registration, with a police medal to be worn by all dogs, making the owners of vagrant or mischievous animals easily discoverable and punishable, would have been even more efficacious, without subjecting harmless dogs and their masters to the fretting annoyance of the present regulations. To prove his point, Sir Charles should tell us how many muzzled mad dogs have been killed which would other- wise have propagated the disease. The truth is, it is not the dogs whose owners can be got to muzzle them that form the "dangerous class," nor is the decrease of rabies due to the muzzling order, but to the stringent, and to a great extent wholesome, police regulations which accompanied it. Meanwhile, however, the habit of seeing all these poor animals chained and muzzled as if they were wild beasts, is tending to produce and foster an irrational dread of dogs which is by no means whole- some, and is certain to lead to a great deal of cruelty and harsh- ness, the proverbial effect of fear, in the treatment of them. As the season is approaching when fresh dog-licences must be taken oat, I am anxious now to draw attention to this subject, in the hope that the authorities may be induced to adopt some plan of registration for next year which could be universally and per- manently enforced, in place of the present uncertain, unreason- able, and most vexations system.—I am, Sir, &c.,
LIVE, AND LET LIVE.
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