Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-10-16
s HEEP LAW.

By virtue of an Act of Assembly, approv-
ed the Eth day of June, y. d.. 1875, also
make further proclamation OF An Act FOR
the taxation oi dogs and the protection OF
sheep
AN ACT for the taxation of dogs and the
protection of sheep
SECTION 1. BE Il enacted &C., That from
and after the passage OF this act, there shall
be assessed levied and collected annually,
with other county taxes. in each of the town.
ships and boroughs of this commonwealth,
from the owners and keepers of dogs, the
following named taxes, namely: For each
male dog the sum of fifty cents, and for ev-
cry female dog the sum of one dollar, To be
paid TO the treasurer of the county where
collected, 10 be kept by him separate and In
such manner thai he can know how much
has been collected from each township and
borough. and how much paid out for losses
or damages, in each. at any time to be fund
from which persons sustaining loss or dam
age to sheep by dog or dogs, and the neces-
sary costs in establishing their claim there
for. as herein provided. may be paid.
SEC , For the purpose Of levylDg and col
lec,ing such taxes, the assessors in each
township and borough shall. annually, at
the time ofassessing other taxable property
ascertain and return to the county COM
missiOners of their county a true statement
of ali the dogs in their townships and bOr-
Oushs, respectively, and the names of the
persons owning or keeping such dogs. and
how many of each sex is kept or owned by
each person; and such commissioners in each
county shall, annually, levy and cause to be
collected the taxes hereinbeIore named,
with, and in the same manner. and for the
same compensation. that other county taxes
are collected
SEC. ). That whenever any person shall
sustain any loss or damage To sheep by a
dog or dogs, in any township or borough,
such person, or his or her agent or attorney,
may complain to any justice of the peace OF
such township or borough, in writing. to be
signed by the person making complaint,
stating therein and by whose dog, or dogs, If
known whereupon the justice of the peace
t. whom such complaint shall be made,
shall cause notice To be served on the own
er or keeper of the dog or dogs causing the
damage, If known, that complaint has
been made to him of such loss or damage;
and II the owner or keeper of such dog or
dogs does not appear, as soon as practicable,
and settle and pay for such loss or damage.
then such justice shall appoint three compe-
tent disInterested persons, not related to the
claimant or other persons Interested there
in, TO appraise the loss or damage sustained
by the claimant; and such appraisers, after
being sworn or affirmed by suef justice Of
the peace. or some other cOmTetent person.
to perform the duties of their appointment
without partiality and ability. shall, as soon
as practicable. examine the place where the
damage Is claimed to have been done, and
the sheep injured or killed, IL practicable
and they are requested 10 do so. and shall be
examined, on oath or affirmation to be ad-
minlstered by one of them. any witness CALI
ed before them by a subpoena from such JUS
tice or otherwise. and after making diligent
inquiry IN relation to such claim, shall deter
mine anu report 10 Sucn Justice IN writing
whether any such damage has been sustain
Ell, and the amount thereof, and who was
the owner or keeper of the dog or dogs, If
known, by which such damage has been
done. and whether or not any part thereof
was caused by "A dog owned or kept by the
claimant. which report, so made, shall be
signed by majority of such appraisers, and
delivered TO the justice by whom they were
appointed.
SEC 4. That upon receiving such report.
the said justice shall Immediately make "A
certificate thereon or thereto, signed and
sealed by him, that such appraisers were
duly appointed and sworn by him. and that
they made such report and IL by such re-
port 1t appears that any damages have been
sustained by the complainant, the said JUS
tice shall deliver such report and all papers
relating to the case, to such claimant or his
or her agent or attorney, upon payment of
the costs up to that time. herein after pro-
vided. (or having secured the same To be
paid to be delivered to the commissioners
of the county where such damages have
been sustained to be filed in their Office
SIC ). That upon the commissioners of
the county receiving such report, IL shall ap-
pear hereby that "A certain amount of dam
age or loss has been sustained by the claim
ant to sheep, by dog or dogs not owned or
kept by him or her, they shall Immediately
draw their order on the treasurer of such
county, in favor of the claimant for the
amount ofIoss or damage such claimant has
sustained according to snch report, with nee
essary and proper costs incurred as afore-
said, to be paid out OF the fund raised or TO
provided and If IL shall appear by such re-
port or otherwise. that a responsible person
was the owner or keeper of the dog or dogs
by which the damage complained of was
done, and there is reasonable probability
such damage and costs can be collected from
such owner or keeper. then such commits
sioners shall Immediately proceed, In the
manner provided by law for the collection
of debts and costs of like amount. to collect
such damages and costs by a suit or suits
from the owner or owners, or keeper or
keepers of such dog or dogs, and place the
proceeds thereof, less costs, in the proper
sheep fund of the county Provided. At any
owner of any sheep-killing dog or dogs, or
any person owning sheep. TO kill any and
all dogs guilty Of killing sheep within this
com monweaith.
SEC. 8. That all dogs IN this commonwealth
shall hereafter be personal property and
subjects oflarceny, aud the owner or keeper
of any dog shall be liable to the county COM
missioners for all loss or damage to sheep by