THE DOG NUISANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 852, 14 September 1864, Page 5

THE DOG NUISANCE.

(lothe Editor of the Daily Times.)

Sir—l wish to record my entire approbation of the two letters which have lately appeared in your paper on tbe Tog Nuisance. It is undoubtedly, a great and growing evil, and ought to be dealt with as such. But the question is, how is the evil to. be o vercomi' ? V our coi respondent of tbel2;h inst. proposes that a tax be levied on every dog lande 1 in the Colony, which mHit do a little good ; but if a further suggestion would not be amiss, I would propose, that when the Provincial Council next assembles, something be done either to amend the existing Dog Law, or an entire new one substituted. At all 'events, let us have something done to protect the citizens of Otago from the ravages and annoyance of h legion of useless curs which ar* allowed to run at large in our streets and paddocks. I bava no doubt of tlw effectiveness of the Liverpool Dog Law. Ido not see why something ot this kind might Hot work equally as well here. Yet if it would not be out of place, I would give the outlines ot a law put in force in the state of Wisconsin, United States, in the year 1830 (if I mistake not), to protect the farmer in woolgrowing, which worked very well. The particular points in the law are these: that a Register bs appointed in every township or district of six miles square, asid that the owner of every dog at iarge, irrespective of breed or usefulness, hare the sams registered on the books of said Registrar, for which the owner paid the sum of five dollars, about one guinea, hs in return receiving a collar, with the number of his dog on it; after which, said owner became responsible for all damage proven against, said dog. And to put an end to unregistered cur.4 funning at large, a bounty of one dollar was payed to anyone who stave satisfactory proof of his having destroyed one s>.ich. Wiiiie any person who had bis pit or profitable puppy dstroyed, after being duly registered, could claim damages from the destroyer, or from ths itaie, if he had not wherewith to pay. I need scarce y say that the law worked well, and_ very soon made a decided difference ia the quantity of dogs at large. But I fear I have trespassed too far, and t<> little purpose. Hoping, however, tiiat something may be done as soon as possible to remove the nuisance, I am, &c, A. H.