Destruction of Sheep by Dogs. 



37 



gentled than a sheep, and none thrive more by it. If dogs are allowed to go near them, and they 

 are continually frightened, they will become so demoralized they will actually suffer from hunger 

 while the troughs are full. 



The Thirty-ninth General Assembly of Tennessee enacted a dog law, greatly to the relief and 

 satisfaction of the sheep-raisers throughout the state. Many farmers who had hitherto been de- 

 terred from raising sheep, soon engaged in the enterprise, and many more were prepariug to do 

 so; but, before the good effects of the law were scarcely realized, the following Legislature (the 

 40th) repealed the law, it seems to the great disheartenment of the sheep-raisers At this junc- 

 ture, and to ascertain public opinion and the sheep farmers' experience on this subject, the Com- 

 missioner of Agriculture sent out circulars of inquiry to all parts of the state of Tennessee. From 

 the analysis of answers to these questions, Mr. Killibrew brings to light a discouraging item in 

 the large number of sheep that have fallen a prey to the ruthless curs that prowl and growl and 

 howl through his state. " A very cursory glance at the replies to the question as to the number 

 of sheep annually destroyed by dogs will serve to show that not less than 7,000 are annually 

 immolated upon the altar of caninal affection." Here are some of these replies : 



Farmers' Testimony as to Annual Destruction of Sheep by Dogs. 



Half 



a dozen farmers present estimate the 



number from 300 to 1,000. 

 About one-fifth annually. 

 Cannot give any estimate. 

 About 800, worth $1,600. 

 One-fourth. 



None since the dog law was passed. 

 In the last three years but few, but previously 



one-fourth. 



About one-half of the whole amount. 

 200 in this county. Must now increase. 

 500. 



A great many, don't know the number. 

 Don't know, less the past season than ever. 

 About one-fourth. 

 About 25 per cent, of the whole. 

 50 sheep valued at $62.50. 

 About 10 per cent. 

 About 1,000, value $3,000. 

 5 per cent. 

 100 head. 

 10 per cent. 

 About 200 or 300. 

 500. 



Very few. 

 About $12,000. 

 About $5,000. 

 $15.000 to $20,000. 

 $7,000 or $8,000. 



Some say if it were not for dogs they would go 



into the business. 



Very few since the dog law was passed. 

 One-half to three-fourths of the whole 



number. 



10 to 20 per cent. 

 10 per cent. 



Not less than 20 per cent. 

 10 to 15 per cent. 

 $2,500 in value. 

 10 per cent. 

 About 10 per cent. 

 About one-fourth. 

 25 per cent., valued at $15,500. 

 A very considerable number. 

 100, value $125. 

 1,000 for this county. 

 About 10 percent. 

 Cannot answer, know it to be large. 

 Cannot give the number, think it great. 

 Very considerable. 



Very few while the dog law was in force. 

 About one-third of the whole ; 300 to 500 a year. 

 About $10,000. 

 $10,000. 

 $12,000. 



Yes, quite a number. 

 It prevents many from following it as an 



occupation. 



Says J. W. F. Foster, in discussing sheep husbandry in East Tennessee : 



THE DOG, more than any other one thing, is keeping East Tennessee poor. If, according to 

 the Spanish proverb, beneath the foot of the sheep is prosperity and wealth, beneath that of the 

 dog is decay and poverty. From data furnished by the assessment rolls, we have in this division 

 of the state at least sixty thousand dogs. If, before the tribunal of Reason and Common Sense, 

 an indictment were preferred against these dogs as a public nuisance, such an array of charges 

 could be made and sustained as would insure a verdict of guilty, and with scarcely any palliating 

 circumstances for an appeal to the mercy of the court. It would be proved that the food con- 

 sumed by each dog would produce one hundred and fifty pounds of pork, which would aggregate 

 nine million pounds, worth, at the lowest estimate, five hundred and forty thousand dollars. It 

 would be shown that the destruction of property by them annually averages but little less than 

 that produced by fire and flood. It. would be shown that, in consequence of their evil disposition, 

 our farmers are deterred from engaging in the raising of sheep, by which a loss of revenue is 

 caused to the people and to the state of at least five millions of dollars annually. It would be 

 shown that large numbers of immigrants, with money in their purses and brains in their heads, 

 are prevented from settling among us and helping to build up the country, from the fact that 

 these dogs render it too hazardous to embark in the only agricultural operation that offers a 

 reasonable prospect of profit. It is a crime against the dignity and welfare of the State that such 

 a nuisance should exist. 



What better remedy or resort, after the law makers have done all they can 

 or should do, to check this evil, than to make sure the safety at home by the 

 iudicious use of a fence the dog cannot pass. No other fence than Steel Barb 

 Fencing meets this requisite. The sheep field and the sheep fold can be 

 cheaply and securely made DOG PROOF. And it will be easy to erect light 



