March 8, 1910: In response to concerns about rabies, city officials give police permission to kill any dog that isn’t wearing a muzzle as required by a new law. The Times describes thousands of loose dogs that will soon be shot as a precaution. 

Some dog owners are so furious over the new ordinance – and the campaign against unmuzzled dogs – that they are discussing a possible recall of the mayor and the councilmen who passed the law.