No More Village

Dogs in Cook Is.

From Our Own Correspondent MANGAIA, Cook Is.

THERE exists in Cook Island native vil lages, numbers of ill-kept, verminous dogs, of a breed dubious in all re spects. These animals are the descen dants of a few mongrels imported long ago, and in spite of periodical reduction of their numbers by distemper, etc., they have gone on breeding over the years.

A new edict, from the Administration, has ordered the immediate destruction of all bitches, on penalty of a heavy fine for neglect of the ordinance.

Village dogs have long been a pest here.

They were ferocious at certain times of the year, and liable to attack pedestrians and small children, or even horses; while unguarded piglets and wandering hens were also unsafe. In addition, the dogs’ habit of licking the taps of village rain tanks, to catch the few drops of water remaining after natives had filled their

dcfgs the fragments of coconut-shredder their perquisite by right The kming of a u bitches will at least prevent the further propagation of these unpleasant animals. What is to happen when the male dogs at length die off is not indicat ed; one presumes that after that, the island win be dogless ’ unless a new and better strain be then imported ancL DrecL