The problem of dogs, late 18th Century
“Useless dogs are the greatest nuisance that can be imagined. Canine madness has produced so many
lamentable effects that a remedy is loudly called for. If every dog were to be taxed five or eight shillings
yearly, those which are useless would soon disappear, and those which are of use could afford to pay
the tax. The dogs in most if not in all counties of this part of the Kingdom consume more food than
would suffice to maintain all the poor within their bounds; and many persons keep dogs who are
themselves supported at the expense of the public.”
‘A General View of the Agriculture in the Southern Districts of the County of Perth.’
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