Puck — October 8, 1879 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a vicious dog labeled "CORRUPTION" attacking two well-dressed men on a city street while two other gentlemen stand helplessly behind them. The caption asks: "IS THERE NO BERGH FOR THIS UNFORTUNATE BEAST?" The reference is to Henry Bergh, founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), famous for animal welfare advocacy. The cartoon uses this ironic comparison to suggest that corruption is being treated like a dangerous animal ravaging the city—and that society has no "Bergh" figure to restrain it. The satire criticizes widespread political corruption of the Gilded Age era, implying that corruption runs unchecked while animal welfare receives organized protection.