The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-01-03

DOG LAW.
An Act for the Projection OF Wool.
Growers, and the C0nftscation
Of Dogs.
SECTION l. Be 1T enacted by the
General assembly Of the State Of
Ohio, That for the keeping of every |
dog in this state over the age of three
the owner thereof shakl be as
sessed, and shall pay into the proper
county treasury, each year, the sum of
one dollar. The sum So assessed shall
be placed upon the tax duplicate, and
the collection thereof made and en-
forced III all respects as taxes. The
money SO assessed and collected, and
all money collected on account of any
dog listed by the owner for taxation,
to The provisions OF section
two of this act, shall constitute spec
ial fund, to be set apart aud used for
tho purposes in this act specified, and
not otherwise.
SEC 2. That each township and
ward assessor, when taking list of per-
sonal property, shall ascertain,b by oaths
or affirmations of the owners, and make
returns upon their statements of per-
sonal property, OF the number of dogs
over three months of aye within his
Jurisdiction, specifying the name of
each owner, the number of such dogs
kept or harbored by him on the day
preceding the second Monday of April
and the owner may list or return for
taxation any dog kept by him at any
arbitrary valuation he may desire to
make, without being qualified thereto,
and every such owner shall be taxed
upon such dog, according to such re-
turn, IN addition to special assessment
aforesaid: provided, if any owner
shall list or return for taxation any
dog kept by him, and pay the tax there.
on when due, at valuation exceeding
fifty dollars, he shall not be liable to
said special assessment. The auditor
of state shall provide the several coun-
ty auditors with the necessary forms
for carrying into effect the provisions
of this act.
Sec. 3. That in making up the tax
duplicate the county auditor shall add,
opposite the name of every person so
returned as the owner of any such dog,
the number OF such dogs kept or har-
bored by him, and duplicates and tax
receipts shall be so made as to show
the amount assessed aud collected On
account Of every such dog so return
ed. If at any time it shall be made to
appear TO any county auditor that the
return of any dog, as aforesaid, has
been omitted, he shall make such re-
turn himself, and proceed in respect
theI cto as il the same had been Origi-
nally made. Hofi
Sec. 4. That it shall be unlawful
for any dog, unaccompanied by any
person to be at large away from the
premises occupied by the owner Of
such dog; and such owner knowingly
permitting any dog to be so at large.
except as aforesaid, shall be liable to
fine of five dollars for every such Of
fense, to be collected, with costs OF
prosecution, in the name of the State
of Ohio. before any Justice of the
peace or mayor having jurisdiction.
SEC. 5. 1t shall be lawful for any
person to kill any dog found running
at large contrary to the provisions OF
this act.
Sec. 6. That if any dog or dogs
shah kill, worry, or inj jure any sheep
lamb, goat, or kid, the owner or own
ers of such dog or dogs shall be joint
ly and severally liable to any person
SO damaged. to the full amount o
injury done by any such dog or dogs
Aud it shall be the duty of any court
before whom the trial Tor damagei
aforesaid is had, to declare the dog OF
dogs found to haye occasioned,'h .
easa.aasee, ovnuruun nulsances, and shall
make an order requiring the defend
ant to kill such dog or dogs. or cause
l a. 1~4 hi turn fVY
four hours after the rendition ofjudg
ment.
SEC 7. That the owner of any dos
listed for taxation "a aforesaid (bu
not otherwise), which shall be killeG
contrary to the provisions of this act
or maliciously injured when not liza
BILE to be killed as aforesaid ,or shall b.
carried os- enticed away from the
promises of the owner Tor the purpOs,
of being killed or injured, may recOv
er of the person so killing or injurins
the same, as exemplary damages, an!
sum not exceeding that for which sucl
dog stands so returned.
SEC. s. That any person who ma!
be damaged by the killing or iniurin.
of sheep, may present a detailed &C
count Of the injury done with tn
damages claimed therefor, to the coun
ty commissioners of the county where
in such sheep were killed or injured
within the next three days of thei
next regular session in June or DE
cember, and shall make it to appear t
the satisfaction of aaid commissioner
upon parOl testimony of at least tw
other persons being free holders OF tn
neighborhoOd where the injury wa
done, that the same is just and reason
able, that such injury was not caused
in whole or in part, by any dog KEEP
or harbOred by the owner of sue
sheep, and that such owner does nc
know whose dog or dogs COMMITTEE
such injury. or it known and such &C
count reduced to judgment, it conl
not be collected OH execution. Sal
commissioners shall hear said account
in the order of filing, and may allos
the same or such parts thereof as the
may deem right. 1t satisfied that sue
account is correct and just, they shal
order the payment thereof out Of sait
fund! IF such fund shall be insufhci
ent to pay all such claims allowed, il
full, they shall be paid pro rata; ant
if, after paying all such claims at an.
such session, there should remain NOR
than one thousand dollars of such funt
the excess shall be transferred to tn
school fund and used for the benefi
OF common schools in suck county
No claim as aforesaid shall be allowed
unless presented at the next session q
aforesaid after the accruing thereof.
Sec. 8. That the word "dog" il
this act shall be construed to mean an!
animal OF the dog kind, and the wore
ssOwner," when relating to dogs, an,
keeper or harborer of any dog, or an,
person permitting . dog to be upol
his or her premises.
SEC 10. That it shall be the dut,