CATS. 



VAGRANT CATS AND DOGS. 



It is no uncommon remark, that it has rained cats and 

 dogs. But this happens, however, only occasionally about 

 Christmas time, and then the shower has generally been 

 confined to the stage during the performance of the 

 pantomimes. Nevertheless, we have living amongst us 

 a sufficient number of these useful domestic pets to pro- 

 duce a heavy storm of rage and fury by the terrible 

 amount of mischief and danger met with by their in- 

 creasing number, and it becomes us to draw attention to 

 so serious a subject, in order to lessen the nuisance. In 

 the first place, let us have some means of knowing who 

 are the rightful owners of the animals, and we may then 

 be able to get rid in a merciful way of the poor half- 

 starved, un-owned, discarded creatures that infest the 

 streets, and endanger our lives by their miserable, diseased, 

 and vicious condition. 



An increase in the amount charged as a tax on dogs 

 would most likely cause many persons who keep dogs to 

 conceal them, and endeavour to avoid payment, whereas 

 the small amount of 5s. is not worth the risk or trouble, 

 and would be found to produce an equal if not a larger 

 revenue, as many would perhaps pay for two if they had 

 them, rather than risk paying 10s. for one and smuggling 



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