THE DOG AS A CAEHIEE OF PABASITES AND DISEASE. 25 



parasitologists have been insisting that the dog is so largely respon- 

 sible for the spread and so essential to the existence of so many im- 

 portant parasites that we must curtail his liberty and guard him, 

 ourselves, our families, and our stock from the evil results of his 

 unrestrained wanderings. 



For a number of years public-health officers and others who have 

 the welfare of the community at heart have been insisting on a re- 

 striction of the dog's unwarranted liberty in order to lessen and in 

 time to eliminate the terrible menace of rabies. 



More recently the sheepmen who have been accustomed to keeping 

 out of business in localities where there were too many dogs, or who 

 have permitted themselves to be forced out of business as a result of 

 the attacks of sheep-killing dogs and the resentment and antagonism 

 of the dogs' owners, have been .taking more aggressive action and 

 have started a propaganda looking toward the elimination of the 

 worthless dog and the placing of full responsibility for other dogs 

 on their "owners. 



It is to be hoped that the coordinate action of these persons and 

 others interested in the safeguarding of life, health, and property 

 will soon bring about positive and valuable results. 



In a general way there are three kinds of dogs — the vagrant, 

 ownerless stray; the other person's dog; and your own dog. 



The stray dog which recognizes no owner must be eliminated. The 

 irresponsible dog with no owner to care for him, to look after his 

 health as it concerns the dog and other animals and man, and to re- 

 strain him and stand sponsor for his acts and especially the damage 

 he may do — such a dog does not fit into a scheme of civilization which 

 is based on law and the responsibility of individuals for themselves 

 and others. 



We have a right to insist, and should insist, that the other person's 

 dog keep off our premises. A dog that is allowed by the owner to 

 wander at large will have substantially the same habits of life, the 

 same sort of food, and be substantially as dangerous as the ownerless 

 dog. Such a dog is not only a trespasser but a potential menace whose 

 visits may incur loss of money, health, or even life. 



Your own dog should be handled in such a way as best to further 

 the welfare of the dog and the community. He should be kept in 

 restraint and not allowed the full freedom of the house or even of 

 the outside premises. He should not be allowed to be familiar with 

 people, and especially with children. The dog should be kept free 

 from external parasites by frequent baths and, if necessary, other 

 appropriate measures, and should be freed from internal parasites by 

 suitable measures and kept free by adequate attention to his food. He 

 should only be allowed to leave the yard or the kennels in company 



