CATS AND DOGS

Evening Star, Issue 22988, 20 June 1938, Page 2

CATS AND DOGS

KILLED BY THE HUNDRED One result of the German occupation of Austria is the drastic reduction of the domestic animal population, particularly in Vienna. Hundreds of people are having their cats and dogs destroyed because the German tax of £5 on domestic animals is certain to be imposed shortly and is expected to be retrospective. A license in the former Austria cost only, about 10s. An order has been issued to the public to destroy puppies and kittens at birth, as there are too many dogs and cats, especially in Vienna. The charge for poisoning animals has been increased fivefold, to about 10s because veterinary surgeon* and chemists are having so many calls on their time for this purpose. All emigrants leaving are required to produce evidence that they have paid their dog tax, if they are liable for it, for the current year, as in other parts of Germany. Cats have never been taxed in Austria, but will be in future, and at the same rate, with rare exceptions. There are many pathetic scenes at veterinary surgeons’ premises and at chemists’ shops to which the pets ar« taken A great many people are turning their cats loose in the Vienna forest, where they are wandering homeless.