TB ILL-TREATMENT OF ANIMALS; A SUGGESTION. (To ran Rome 07
IRS " Sesernoa."1 &L.—The Spectator is traditionally a lover of animals, and I have wondered often that I have never seen in it, columns any protest directed against their ill-usage (I refer particularly to horses), especially of late years, when it has been so obvious. Some instances due to the rationing of feeding-stuffs may be difficult to avoid, but the letters of Mr. Walter Wiliam+ and others in the daily papers refer to forme of ill-treatment that are controllable. Naturally, one could write at length on each a subject, in which one's sympathy and indignation are allied, but I will restrict myself to a suggestion that I hope will not take up your space unduly. I make the proposal that each user as well as owner of an animal such as a horse or dog should be required to take out a licence, and that this licence should be subject to endorsement, suspension, or total with- drawal on conviction, according to the degree of the offence. A fine or imprisonment punishes but does not act strongly as a deterrent. On the other hand, the fear of losing the licenoe, and the corresponding right of making Lee of the services of, for example, a horse, would be, I think, really effective, while in the case at great or persistent brutality in any form the opportunity of inflicting suffering would be removed. At this time, when the avowed aim of eivilinel peoples is to make a happier world, surely the proper treatment of animals who have given faithful, patient, and, under decent masters, willing service during these years of war should not be over- looked. I make the proposal hoping that it will commend itself as valuable within its obvious limite to you, Sir, and to others who have the necessary influence to give it practical shape.—
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