There is an ordinance of our Park Commission which many owners of dogs have thought a piece of petty tyranny and been disposed to ridicule and disregard. The principal reason for such an ordinance is the injury done [155]to young plantations by dogs running at large, the amount of which is much greater than is likely to be imagined by any one who has not had occasion to observe the facts. Probably not a dog passes freely through Franklin Park without destroying at least one shrub. But there is another reason for the ordinance. The Buffalo papers of last Friday, reporting the proceedings of a meeting of the Commission of that city, state that the following letter was read:

“You may recall the very severe accident which occurred last August to Judge Brundage. This fall, from which he is only now slowly recovering, involved a broken leg, three broken ribs, and concussion of the brain. This accident was caused entirely by dogs running at large on the parkways. And I write to inquire whether there is not a park ordinance forbidding this.”

“When recently in Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, and Central Park, New York City, I noticed that signs were frequently displayed warning the public against allowing dogs to run at large in the Parks, but I do not see any such notices in our Parks. If such ordinances exist, would it not be well to have the caution prominently displayed, and if such ordinances do not exist, would it not be wise to have one passed?”

“To-day dogs accompanying riders on horseback and carriages very frequently are in the park, much to the annoyance of many people. They are dangerous to foot passengers, especially to children and riders. I personally know of one lady who is somewhat timid on horseback, whose whole pleasure is destroyed by the presence of one or two dogs which often run at large the same time she is riding.”