hcdogs3

The control of roaming animals was always a problem in Newfoundland from the earliest times.
These animals, especially dogs, which roamed in packs, were destructive of property, domestic
animals and even children. However, it was with the development of the keeping of sheep that
the menace of packs of semi-wild dogs was particularly serious. In order to diversify the
Newfoundland economy, the development of sheep raising became a priority with local governments.
Since the sheep were expected to graze unattended most of the year, they were particularly
vulnerable to the attack of dogs. The usual method of controlling dogs was to issue regulations
against the keeping of these animals in a particular area. This measure was the subject of the
following petition from the people of Heart's Content which has special value for its list of
inhabitants.
No. 32 2nd May 1888

The petition of the undersigned humbly sheweth:
That Your petitioners are duly qualified Electors, residing in an area or section of the Electoral district of Trinity Bay.
That the said area, or section contains the Harbor of Hearts Content.
That your petitioners are desirous and humbly pray your Excellency in Council, that a proclamation, or notice,
be issued under the provisions of an Act passed in the forty seventh year of the reign of Her Majesty
Queen Victoria, Chapter 7 entitled "An Act to provide for the better preservation of sheep, and for other
purposes" prohibiting the keeping of dogswithin the above described area, or section, of the said District:
and petitioners will ever pray ------
Dated at Hearts Content the Second day of May 1888

I.H. Angel, Samuel S.Bailey, F. Oates, W. Dickenson, J. Sullivan, R.A. Penny, William Lever,
Thomas Lever, Thomas Hopkins, C. Newitt, Henry E. Austin, John Farnham, H.H. MacKenzie,
S.S. Stentaford, E.P. Earle, Levi Williams, Richard Barrett, John Millis, James Hipper,
Robert Pearcy, J. Rowe Sr., Martin Rowe Jr., Jonathan Rowe of Eli, Martin Rowe Sr.,
Eli Rowe of Thos., Thos.Rowe Sr., Charles Rendell Jr., William Rowe, Geo. C. Rowe,
Richard Rowe, Isaac Rowe, John Rowe, Joseph Rowe of Nath, Enoch Rowe, Elias Rowe,
Peter Rowe, Joseph Rowe, Noah Rowe, William T. Rowe, F. W. Taylor, Geo. C. George,
William House, Geo. Rowe, Chas. Rendell, Jas. Rendell, Philemon Legge, Patrick Lahey,
A.A. Thompson, J. Phippard, W. Woodcock, Robert Pearcey of John, A.G. Williams, G.E. Charlton,
W. Anderson, Jas Farnham, James Hatcher, Geo. J. Young, Guy Moore, Jas. H. Moore, Moses Moore,
Joseph Hopkins Sr., William Hopkins, A.R. Martin, G.S. Mallam, James W. Gardner Jr.,
Solomon Matthews, Robert George, V. Merchant, Joseph George, Thos. Seward, William Babstock,
George Rendell, Adam Rockwood.
Northern District Hearts Content, Newfoundland.

Henry E. Austin, S.S. Stentaford, Samuel Earle, John Rowe, Walter Moore, maketh oath and saith
that they was present and saw the parties whose names appear in this petiton duly and voluntary
sign thereto.
Henry E. Austin, S.S. Stentaford, S.A. Earle, John Rowe, Walter Moore
Sworn before me at Hearts Content this the 2nd day of May 1888.
R.A. Penny, Commissioner of Affadavits, Supreme Court.