Excerpts from WHN Newsletters, 1967 and 1968.
“Dog Owners — Your Responsibility. The responsibility of the dog owner does not end with the purchase of a license and the usual inoculations. One of the most neglected factors is control of the pet. A dog must be penned in a yard or kept on a leash at all times. The Anti-Noise Ordinance also includes Canine Offenders. Ordinance 54046, approved March 23, 1966, states … “All dogs are prohibited from running or being at large on any street or public place within the City of St. Louis unless such dog is on a leash held by a responsible person so as to prevent such dog from biting any person or animal.” A maximum penalty for violation provides for a fine of $500.00 or up to 90 days imprisonment or both such fine and imprisonment.”
“We are continuing to receive reports on the number of rats sighted in various alleys in the area. Public Health officials tell us that cleanliness is the only sure way to eradicate and control this problem. Again, we urge residents to keep your yards clean, wrap all garbage and keep lids on trash cans as required by St. Louis Ordinance. If you see a rat in your alley or yard, call the Rat Control Office immediately. The number is 453-3381. Remember, you stand to gain or lose by adopting a few simple sanitation habits.”
Excerpt from Memo to Block Leaders from SDCC, April 73
“Alleys: The alleys in our area have become very dirty and littered with trash and garbage. It is the responsibility of the property owners to keep their alleys clean. Since this …is not always being done, and we face a danger of rats, this office spends a great deal of time reporting alley violaters to the police sanitation officer. He is handing out violation notices. The fine is $5.00 plus $3.00 court costs for each violation. It is easier and cheaper to keep the alleys clean, and I hope you will encourage your neighbors in this area as well.”
Since stray and loose dogs contribute to the trash problem, and that in turn contributes to the rat problem, we are working to get these dogs picked up.
We want people to understand that the purpose of this program is to eliminate the stray dogs which are a danger, especially to small children. Also, by overturning trash cans, they provide attractive litter for rats. Forty-six dogs have been caught in March and April, and rabies control has promised to go through our neighborhood regularly to pick up dogs not in their yards.
Many people who keep their dogs in their yards in the day let them run loose at night.
These dogs will be picked up along with the strays in the early morning pick-ups. So, you can show your shared concern on these problems by keeping your own dog in your yard or at home. Report strays on your block to Rabies Control.
Original photograph caption
Original alley-sanitation cartoon, The Paper, Summer 1973, page 2. Individual artist signature is not confidently identified.
Originally published in The Paper, Summer 1973.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1973_06.pdf, printed page(s) 2.
