The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-11-13
THE NEW DOG LAW.
or Interest to Owners Of Dogs and sheep
as Well as The Taxpayer.

Wa clip from the Lancaster New
Era the following carefully prepared
synopsis Of the new law.
The law provides that on and after
its passage there shall be assessed,
levied and collected annually in
every township and borough Of the
Commonwealth, from the owners of
dogs, tax of 90 cents for every male
dog and 81 for every female dog, the
sum to be collected with the other
township taxes. These sums shall be
paid to the treasurer of the boa rd of
school directors in the different
districts, and shall be kept seperate
by the treasurer, so he will know how
much has come into his hands from
this source. This money shall con-
stitute a sum from which persons
sustaining loss or damage to sheep by
dogs may be paid for such loss, along
with the costs necessarily incurred to
establish their loss.
The assessors of every borough and
township shall annually, when max
ing other assessments, ascertain the
number of dogs in their respective
districts and the names of the owners,
anu iOW vi NfhNi CCA dtC wv bCu
and kept. The County Commission
turn to the school directors of the
number of dogs owned therein, to-
gether with the owners names and
the school directors will cause the tax
to be collected in the same manner
as along with the school tax.
Persons who have sustained loss
or damage to sheep may make COM
p)aint before any justice of the peace,
and the latter shall notify the owner
of the dog or dogs causing the loss,
and if the owner does not appear "as
soon as practicable" and pay the loss
caused by his dogs, the justice shall
notify the township auditors to ap.
praise the loss sustained by the claim
ant; they have power to summon
witnesses and investigate the case
thoroughly, and shall determine and
report to the justice the amount of
the damage, If any. The report shall
be signed by majority of the aud
itors. A section prescibes the manner
in which tie Justice shall then proceed
in bringing the matter before the
school board. When the latter re-
ceiyes such notification, and itappears
a loss has been sustained, they shall
file the amount Of the approved claim
with the secretary of the board, in
Guiding the necessary costs incurred,
to be paid out of the fund raised by
the tax on dogs. If the owner of the
dogs doing the damage is responsible,
then the treasurer of the board shall
Immediately collect the damages and
cost from him, and place the proceeds
in the sheep fund. If it shall be found
at close of the current year that the
dog tax is not sufficient to pay for all
the losses incurred under the law,
then the school board shall pay q
pro rata share to the several claimants;
if the funds are sufficient, then the
claims shall be paid in full.
All dogs in the State shall become
personal property and subject to
larceny. Justices shall be allowed a
fee Of 80 cents in every case that
comes before them. Owners of dogs
causing may voluntarily pay the
damage without awaiting action. In
case there is a surplus in the sheep
fund in the hands of the treasurer
at the close of the current year
amounting to $3.50, the same shall be
transferred to the school fund of the
district for school purposes.
The luw does not repeal or effect
the provisions of any existing special
law on the same subject in any county
or district. The law is very import
ant one, not only to farmers, but to
| all dog owners.