Commissioner of Agriculture 139 



maintained, hydrophobia is now unknown on the British Isles. 

 Its elimination from this country can likewise be accomplished if 

 similar regulations could be put in force. Making owners re- 

 sponsible for the acts of their animals is one means of securing the 

 desired end, but it fails of its object in the case of dogs, since the 

 homeless, wandering, and ownerless individuals are the most 

 dangerous. These vagabond animals are the principal carriers 

 and distributors of rabies. 



The present methods of local control over the dog population 

 are ineffective and unsatisfactory. This Department meets the 

 same difficulties as heretofore in being unable to secure proper 

 enforcement of quarantines in many cases. The tendency of local 

 officials to restrict and limit the area to be quarantined practically 

 annuls the good effects of the order. In so far as possible we are 

 extending the areas, and in one or two cases have quarantined en- 

 tire counties with the object of surrounding and therefore checking 

 the distribution of the virus. Because of the antagonistic attitude 

 of many dog owners and others, however, the proper carrying out 

 of the rabies quarantine orders is very difficult. 



The control of dogs is a broader problem than disease preven- 

 tion only. The sheep industry of ISTew York State has been de- 

 moralized and in many sections entirely eliminated because of the 

 difficulty in protecting these animals from dogs. The Census of 

 1 910 shows 800,000 less sheep than in 1900. At this rate it will be 

 but a few years when the sheep-raising industry of New York 

 State will have become history — this in spite of the fact that 

 there are thousands of acres of grazing land in the State which 

 offer unequaled opportunity for the development of this great 

 industry. Dogs and sheep cannot exist in the same locality unless 

 kept under proper control or protection. The choice must be 

 made, and made soon, as to which is more valuable to agriculture. 



Recommendations hereafter made concerning the changes in 

 the law relative to dogs have received careful consideration and 

 are submitted as a solution of the problem. 



HOG CHOLERA 



This disease, affecting swine only, is one of the most common 

 diseases of this species of animals. In rural districts it is appar- 



