Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1902-04-11
THE DOG LAW.

BE it enacted by the general Assem-
bly, of Virginia, That it shall be the duty
OF the commissioners OF the revenue in
the counties of this safe TO take annual
ly, at the time OF listing the taxable
property therein n list OF all dogs over
three months old. showing whether
male or female, with the name OF the
owner orperson in whose possession the
same Is found upon the oath or affir-
nation of the owner or housekeeper. or
head of the family with whom or on
whose lot or plantation any dog or dogs
may be found, as TO the number of dogs
such person may own or have, or as
may be on his lot, plantation or prem
ises, whether owned by him for herr or
not, shall return such list OF dogs TO
the clerks Office OF their respective
counties AT the time when he returnes
his list of taxable property, under the
like fines, penalties forfeiturs as are
now incurred by him for neglect of
similar duties under existing laws as TO
his duties in listing and returning taxa
BILE property.
That every case where the owner Of
the dog failed to pay the license tax pro
vide for in the third section of this act
it shall be the duty of the constable Of
the district in which said delinquent re-
sides TO kill said dog. for which he shall
receive fee Of fifty cents out Of the
fund hereinafter provided, and TO that
end the said constable shall obtain from
the county treasurer list of all delin-
quent under this act in his district. and
shall within thirty days after re-
ceiving such list, discharge his duty in
this behalf, and on his failure SO to do
when practicable, he shall pay fine
of five dollars for each dog he so fails
to kill.
That when said commissioners of the
revenue shall have ascertained the
number Of dogs. they shall assess a
license tax Of fifty cents per head on all
male dogs and all spayed female dogs.
and on every slut or female dog one
dollar shall be assessed, and the said
sums so assessed shall be collected and
accounted for by the county treasurer
as county levies are by law directed to
be collected and accounted for. and the
treasurer shall keep a seperate account
or the fund arising from said tax. The
said fund shall be, andthe same is here
by, appropriate for remunerating the
inhabitants of said counties for any
loss they may sustain from dogs killing
or GRIPPING their sheep or any other
stock, and for paying for the expenses
necessary TO carry this act into effect:
and any balance remaining on hand for
any year shall be appropriated to the
county school fund of public schools
or to the puslic road fund, as the BOARD
of supervisors may determine, to be
used in accordance with the laws gov
erning the disposition of such funds.
If it be found that the fund arising
from this act for any year shall be in
sufficient TO pay expences incident to
execution Of this law, and thus to pay
the whole amount of damages inflicted
by dogs on the owner OF sheep or other
stock property, in either of said counties
each sufferer shall be paid out Of said
fund in proportion TO the loss sustain
ed
That i. shall be the duty of any
justice of the peace in said counties. on
the application Of the owner of sheep or
other stock, or his agent, which have
been killed or wounded by dogs mot
his OWN since the passage of this act,
10 issue summons to three discreet
persons, who are qualified voters two
OF whom may act, who, being legally
sworn, shall go forthwith on the premis-
es where such sheep or other STICK may
be and examine into the facts and
justice Of the claim, and appraise the !