Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-20
The Maine Dog Law.


Massachusetts,. and 1 believe one or
.wo other states Where dogs are
licensed and taxed. the dog law, pro-
rides that any farmer meeting with
osses from dogs may file a claim. with
proofs OF loss. at the assessors office.
md he paid the amount OF his
oss out OF the town treasury.
or. if he chooses, he may bring an
action against the owner of the dog.
md recover double: and III some case;
breetold damages. but he cannot adopt
10th methods. In Maine and most
,ther states, however. the suffe re-
must bring the owner of the dog to
erms il he can; he has no other mode
IF redress
Mr.. Stevens has, doubtless, been led
rto error by depending for his infor-
nation on the revised statutes pub
ished in 1883. A dog law was passed
w tie Maine legislature in 1893. which
: still in force. It's provisions which
,car uron the killing of sheep are as
:ollows:
IS c. 46. The clerks of towns shall
ssue said license and receive the
money therefor, and pay the same to
he treasurer of their respective towns
within thirty days thereafter, retain
ng to their own use fifteen cents for
rach license issued; and the said trea-
'urer shall pay the money so received
the treasurer of state on or before
september first of each year. Such
Jerks shall keep record Of all licenses
ssued by them, with the names of the
owners or keepers Of dogs licensed, and
he sex, registered numbers and
description of all such dogs; provided,
however, that the sex. registered NUM-
bers and description shall not be re-
luired of dogs covered By Il kennel
license.
Sec. AZ. The treasurer of each town
shall keep an accurate and separate
lccount If all moneys received and eX-
ended by him under the provisions Of
his chapter.
Sec. So. Whenever any sheep, lambs
1r other domestic animals, owned by
'esident of this State are killed or in
lured by dogs or Wild animals, such
wner may make complaint thereof to
he mayor of the city. or to one OF the
municipal officers of the town or plan
alton where such damage was done.
within tWenty-fOur hours after ne he's
knowledge of the same, and thcreupon
he municipal officers shalt Investigate
such complaint and if such damage
was committed by dogs or wild animals
within the limits of their city. town o.
plantation, they shall estimate the
amout thereof and direct that the same
be paid from the town treasury. Any
town paying such damages caused by
dogs, may maintain an action on the
case against the owner or keeper OF
such dogs to recover the amount paid,
not exceeding the actual damage COM
mitted.
"Sec. 81. If any sheep, lambs o"
other domestic animals are killed or
injured by two or more dogs at the
same tin"e. kept by two or more per
sons, the owners or keepers of such
dogs shall be Jointly and severally
lia Dle Cor such damage.
Sec. -. When any city. town or
plantation shall have paid damages to
the owner of sheep. lambs or Other
domestic animals. as provided in Sec
ton fifty-threo. for losses caused by
dogs. and the amount of such damages
cannot be collected from the owners or
Keepers of said dogs. or the dog o.,
EGGS causing sU h losses cannot b.
identified. or shall have paid such dam
ages fOr losses caused by wild animals
the mayor of such city or the municipal
officers IF said town or plantation shall
forward to the treasurer of state q
statement Of facts in each case show
Sure- Of state shall reimburse such
,ity, town or plantation to the amount
Of such damage from the fund received
by the state under section fOrty-SiE."