1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 413 



From time to time for more than twenty years laws have 

 been placed on our statute books with the intent of suppress- 

 ing dogs in the interest of sheep husbandry ; but they have 

 accomplished little in the line of their intention. A licensed, 

 collared dog, but unrestrained and roving at will, is a 

 deadly enemy to our flocks, whether in fold or pasture, and 

 is no less so to the human family, if infected with rabies. 

 That danger can be abated in. but one way ; which is, to 

 confine the animal on the premises of its oivner, or, ivhen 

 moving abroad, to compel the owner to keep it constantly under 

 his control and surveillance ; and, if it escapes therefrom and 

 is running at large, to make it a subject for seizure and con- 

 finement by legalized ofiicers. We recommend such an 

 enactment, believing that it would serve to protect our 

 people and animals from a dread disease, as well as our 

 flocks from their destructive attacks. 



LEVI STOCKBRIDGE, 

 A. W. CHEEVEK, 

 O. B. HAD WEN, 



Cattle Commissioners. 

 Boston, Jan. 8, 1891. 



