Genre:

Poetry

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

L S *

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Mental Illness, Disease, Crime, Government

    The illustration shows a number of irate policemen chasing a dog. Written from the perspective of a dog, the poem attacks the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Richard Mayne's law forcing vagrant dogs to be muzzled. Begins by wondering why dogs should be muzzled in a drought and defends the fact that dogs are 'not more giv'n to rabies [...] Than in winter time'. Similar to PU1/55/22/3, denies that his species 'go mad' from sweat or thirst but reminds readers that dogs sweat through their tongues—a process made difficult by muzzling. Also challenges the view of the 'Blues' (policemen) that dogs go mad from drink, and proceeds to argue that 'If London areas had tongues', then they would reveal that policemen's teeth were more dangerous than that of dogs. Concludes by imagining what would happen to policemen if they were muzzled.