The Globe. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1443, 1 October 1878, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1878.

We are not quite sure but that, among the multifarious enactments which are likely to further encumber the Statute Book of the colony, a very important one, to a certain class of people, is that relating to the holding, keeping in possession, or enjoying, that useful domestic animal, the dog. Much legislation has already been passed in reference to a subject which was once a sore one with up-country people and sheep-owners particularly. But as the centres of population became more thickly inhabited and wide-spread, and various interests developed, it became necessary from time to time to make further legal provision, of a more or lews liberal character, towards restraining and keeping within due bounds that which some people are fond of designating as the dog nuisance. There is no doubt but that everything in this world, within practical limits, has been created for an especial purpose, and that either enjoyment or usefulness can be derived from it. People given to controversial habits will of course ask, what about the mosquito or the rattlesnake. Leaving aside all polemics on the subject, as wo only refer to that best friend of man, the faithful quadruped which tends his nock, assists him in the pastimes of the field, and in many other ways, wo may at once lay it down that any " dog " legislation should bo framed in such a manner as to protect public interests, without interference in the rights of the the subject. The Dog Registration Bill introduced this session can scarcely bo said to come entirely within those limits, as it seems {$ have been inspired by agencies such as prompte/J. tho old Draconian laws in force in the coiony during the early periods of the squatting &>*,. f.QV all that, we are not disponed to say that &g stringency is not out of place. The practical moa£ of somo of its clauses wilt, how, ever, psfoye of great difficulty in many more ways tha*- .one. The Bill is crudely worded, and recites that " tho colony is infested by groat numbers o£ whicli 4*13 allowed to go loose at all hour,, of ,day aud night, to tho dangor of passengers, as mil as to tho annoyance of tho inhabitants at iaive, and that much loss is occasioned to tho owners of stock by the ravages of such dogs." r £o an end to this state of things so verbosely described, and in language so

foreign to legal diction, it is enacted that a most cast-iron system of compulsory registration shall bo vigilantly carried out. For the purpose local governing bodies are to bo classed as ' dog" districts, wherein registration offices shall be maintained whore the animals' description shall bo filed, together with the names of the ownors, and also for the issue of labels or badges "to be affixed to dog collars." So far the now measure is very similar to that obtaining at the present moment. Wo now come to the financial outlook of tho case. Each local body shall bo empowered to levy 10s a year for each dog registered, "and to pay onehalf of every fine or penalty inflicted to any person who shall procure a conviction against any ono transgressing against tho provisions of the Bill, tho other moiety bocoming part of tho district's revenue as the amounts receivable for registration fees. Tho penalty for nonregistration is to bo limited to an amount not exceeding £5, and every dog of a greater ago than three months must bo registered, " except in places which local governing bodies may declare exempt from tho operation of the Act." Tho onus of proof of the ago or of tho registration of a dog will rest with tho defendant, "and any dog not registered, and of which tho ownership cannot bo proved, may be sold or killed." In the case of any dog "rushing at, fighting, attacking or biting any person or cattle, or in any other way injuring or endangering property," tho animal may bo immediately killed, its koopor at tho same time being liable to a penalty of not more than £5 over and above the damage done. The Bill makes it also lawful for anyone to destroy any dog at large attacking any live stock "or poultry," unless tho animal be in tho immediate following of its owner or some ono on his behalf. Furthoi', it is to bo permitted that "mischievous or dangerous" dogs shall bo pursued and killed at anytimo, and wherever caught, and that no person shall bo liable for trespass by pursuing them, yet any wilful damage done in the pursuit would have to bo made good by tho pursuer. Penalties aro also provided for people using counterfeit or obsolete badges of registration, and power is also given for tho infliction of penalties against any person who may kill any dog " contrary to tho provisions of the Bill." A measure of this kind will undoubtedly be hailed with satisfaction by people engaged in pastoral pursuits, but we fear that its stringency may have the effect of giving rise to much litigation in populous centres. The question, however, is one of considerable difficulty, and it has long been a matter of some anxiety how to satisfactorily deal with it. Hordes of useless curs infest the larger towns, and smaller settlements even aro not free from their mischievous propensities. Perhaps this newly conceived piece of legislation, if it can bo practically carried out in all its bearings without excesses, may be the means of abating the nuisance, but we much doubt it.