The Animals' Institute

Abstract

THE long-continued suffering of animals fatally injured in our streets, before the services of a slaughterer can be obtained, or the owner be found to give his permission, has often been referred to. Poor animals with incurable abdominal wounds, or, it may be, complete fracture of a limb, not unfrequently lie in the streets for hours before being put out of their misery. The police have no power to order their destruction until the person in charge assents, and he frequently cannot do this until his master has been communicated with. I remember one case where eight hours elapsed. I have recently found that complete absence of pain can be easily induced by subcutaneous injection of morphia, and perhaps you would allow me to publicly state that the apparatus and drug are always here at the service of the police gratuitously in cases of street accidents.