Mad Dogs

This interesting broadside, dating to 22nd January 1808, issued by the Council Chamber, seeks to deal with the problem of 'MAD DOGS'. These are presumably dogs with rabies. The disease had not yet been eradicated from Scotland.

The broadside orders those who own dogs to keep them indoors. All dogs found wandering would be killed. Owners that were found to have let their dogs wander during this period would be fined and punished by the magistrates.

Aberdeen's Journal, 3rd February 1808, reports the campaign being remarkably successful, with many rabid dogs having been killed and owners keeping theirs indoors. A further confinement order was issued for the entire county on 9th March 1808, after the Sheriffs heard reports of rabies in Ellon.

The 6th April 1808 edition of the Journal reports that this later incident had resulted in several people being bitten. In Stonehaven, people were rewarded two shillings and sixpence for killing stray dogs.