Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 September 1891 — Clipping’ Dogs’ Ears. [ARTICLE]

Clipping’ Dogs’ Ears.

The work of clipping the ears of bulldogs and other canines was discussed in the police court the other morning when Frank W. Moulton, a fancier, was called upon to answer a charge of cruelty to animals preferred against him by Agent Key, of the Humane Society, says the Washington Star. The alleged cruelty consisted in clipping the ears of the dogs. Mr. Moulton told how the dogs were etherized before the operation is performed in order to prevent pain or cruelty. “It has been the universal custom,” he said, “to clip their ears.” “And it used to be the custom for men to bore holes through their noses,” added the Judge, “but civilization is ahead of that.” Judge Miller wanted to know if there were any decisions on the question, and counsel said he thought there were none. Mr. Moulton Mid that since the warrant was issued he had written to the Secretary of the New York Kennel Club, and his reply was that no such case had been prosecuted before and he considered it perfectly nonsensical. The Judge thought that the dog was en'itled to his ears and tail and said that the public was interested in the 1 dog untrimmed and unadorned. As the question was one of considerable importance, the Judge said, he would take it under advisement.