Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-19
VIRGINIA Dog Law.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch;
II a man meets another's dog IN the
road. or anywhere off the premises OF ths
owner OF said dog, has he right 70 XII
the dog and be iustilable, the dog having
done no damage, under the Plea that
the dog is not taxed and IS therefore mol
property? Please answer as soon as pos
sIble in your valuable paper, ana give
law. D. - ~
Following is the last law on the subject
Of the taxation Of dogs.
Section S excerpts all counties having a
special law imposing a tax on dogs IN
less the Board Of Supervisors shall adopt
in lieu of said special act the provisions
Of this last law.
Section 10 declares that this last act
shall not affect sections 400 and 800 and
1e9 and 2193 Of the Code Of Virginia.
In the latter part OF section 1t VIII De
seen how dogs are to be killed.
An Act Authorizing the Board Of super
visors Of Each County in the State 10
Levy a Tax on Dogs, and to Enforce
Collection Of Said Tax, with CERTAIN
Penalties in Case Of Failure TO Pay the
Same
Improved March S, 1851
Re Il enacted by the General Assem-
bly Of virginia, That the boards OF super
yisors Of the several different counties OF
this State, except the counties OF Lunen-
burg, Franklin, Scott Wise Dickinson
Fauquer, Buchanan, Carroll, FLOYD, Al
bemarle. Nansemond, Goochland, tluNah-
ma. Halifax, RccHbridge, Rockingham
spotsvivania. Charles City, York. James
CITY. Warwick, Brunswick, Patrick, Cnal-
lotte. Lee. Norfolk. and Rappahannoch,
be. and they are hereby, authorized 10
levy a tax on all dogs in their respective
counties. such tax not to exceed g. on
each male and s. on each female dog over
four months Of age.
. 1t shall be the duty OF the Commls-
sioner Of Revenue Of each Of said coun-
ties where this law shall be adopted 10
take annually, at the time Of listing the
taxable property in said counties list
of all dogs therein. showing whether the
same are male or female, with the name
of the owner or the person in whose pos
session the said dogs are found SAID as
SCISSORS shall ascertain every deg usually
STAYING on each of the several lots or
tracts Of land in the said counties, and
shall list said dogs as staying upon the
said lot or tract Of land, whether the own
er cs tenant be ascertained or not, and the
said assessors shall examine the respec-
tive owners or tenants Of said lots or
tracts OF land. on oath, as to the number
and the ownership or person having pos
session of every dog staying on his said
lot or tract Of land.
s. The said several boards Of supervisors
are authorized TO devote the proceeds OF
the tax above mentioned TO the payment OF
claims for sheep killed by dogs In thei
respective counties, and TO Turn over any
surplus. after the payment Of said claims,
10 the district school or road funds In pro
portion TO the number Of dogs listed In
the respective districts. il shall be the
duty of any Justice Of the peace Of any
county, whenever any owner Of sheep or
agent shall make complaint. on oath, be
fore him that his or her sheep have been
killed or severely wounded by dogs other
than his or her own. to issue summons
to three freeholders IN the neighborhoOd,
any two Of whom may act. who. being le-
galy sworn. shall 90 forthwith on the
premises where such sheep may be and
examine into the facts and justice Of the
complaint, and appra Sc tie amount Of
damages sustained by the owner, so that
the damages shall not exceed the ap-
praised value OF the sheep killed CT
wounded, and return a certificate II the
same, under their hands, 10 the said own
or or agent, ana a like certificate 10 the
Clerk of the County Court. who shall pre-
sent IL to the Board OF Supervisors at
their next meeting: provided that I'm the
county Of Culpeper the Beard Of Super
vlsors may In their discretion, apprOpri-
ate the tax laid in this bill to the work
ing Of county roads, and in the county Of
Montgomery the tax collected from this
source shall be appropriated TO the school
fund Of said county. and in the county Of