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Animals

March 4, 1873, Ordinance No. 30, Section 3

“Whenever the marshal of the City shall discover, or be notified by any person therein, that any animals, above enumerated are running at large in violation of the provisions of this Ordinance, it shall be his duty immediately to cause them to be taken in charge and placed in the City Pound, and within twenty four hours thereafter to cause three notices to be posted in public places in said City, one of which shall be put up at the Post Office door therein, describing said animal so impounded, generally, giving the marks and brands found upon any such animal, if any there be, with the date of the posting of such notices.” 

Ordinances 1 - 50 (May 18, 1872 - November 17, 1873)

View Ordinance 30

Bum the Dog

San Diego residents tending to Bum

Story has it that Bum was originally born in San Francisco on July 3rd, 1886. Bum ventured off from his native soil and embarked on a new journey, hitched a ride on a steamship from the Sonoma County to the ports of San Diego.

Bum docked on all four-legs in our City and was initially cared for by our local City fire stations, Chinese butchers fed him and ensured he never went hungry and our local doctors made sure he was nursed back to health when Bum’s right paw needed amputation after a battle with a bull dog on a rail tract. Rumor has it that Bum was at one point addicted to libations such as beer and whiskey and grew quite fond of certain spirits after being involuntary introduced.

Bum eventually cleaned up his life with the aid of Ah Wo Sue and never drank again. He was loved by everyone in the community and taking care of him was a collective effort from the old to the young. At only eleven years old, Bum passed away in 1897. Bum never belonged to anyone specifically, instead, he belonged to everyone in our City. One hundred and thirty-six years later, the beloved Bum the Dog continues to be revered by citizens as the bronze statue of the well-loved St. Bernard-spaniel mix remains at the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation.

View Resolution Declaring June 30 through July 6, 1986 as "Bum Week"

(Photograph Link)

Documents

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Barns and Stables

This group of documents contains petitions and correspondence regarding barns and stables within City limits and the concerns citizens had as a growing the metropolitan lifestyle started overtaking the rural farm life. Included are some letters regarding a project for unemployed men, called the City Farm.  

Birds

These documents contain an unusual push from the Federal Fish and Game Commission to cull the invasive house sparrow/English sparrow for the damage it had done to local ecosystems. Additionally there is a petition regarding a pigeon coop operation in a residential area. 

Cats

A letter regarding an excessive number of cats and requesting the pound do something about the situation. 

Disposal of Animal Carcasses

An ordinance and letter from citizen regarding dead animals and their disposal.

Dogs

This section contains many letters supporting and protesting the regulation of dogs, topics include being fenced in their yards, free roaming, vaccinations, and licenses. Additionally, a Resolution declaring June 30-July 6, 1986 to be Bum the Dog’s Week and a tax receipt with an image of Bum. 

Fish and Sealife

These are petitions to remove embalmed sea animals due to being a public nuisance. 

Horses

These are varied documents about having horses in a City: an Ordinance about horse speed limits, the Firemen reporting on horses to draw the carts of equipment, and a petition asking for watering stations for those still driving horses instead of cars. 

Livestock

There are many Ordinances and petitions to regulate livestock within a City. These evolved over time, most are to prevent animals running wild around town. There are many petitions and requests from citizens to abate health problems from barnyards and even a letter regarding the Scripps farm in La Jolla. 

Miscellaneous

These two documents do not fit in any other category. One prohibits throwing dead animals in the river and the other is a petition asking for travelling circuses to not have shows on Sunday. 

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