The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1915-04-15
SHEEP OWNERS
NEED DOG LAW
Interests Suffer Large Annual
Loss Because Of RaVages
of Common Ours
LICENSE AND TAXATION
Tennessee is Ideally Located for the
Production of Early Lambs-Cheap
to Raise, as They Live Largely on
Waste.
(By. R. M. Murphy, Division of Exten-
zion TTpivorsi+v of TannaSSepl

(By. r. M. Murphy, Division OF Exten-
sion, University of Tennessee)
The sheep interests of the state are
sadly in need of an effective Dog Law.
Tennessee is ideally located for the
production of early lambs, and but for
the rayages of the common cur, the
number of sheep now in the state
would be double in the next five years.
Sheep, with the dog out of the way,
are our most profitable live stock.
They live largely upon things that
usually go to waste Every farm
should have a small flock to utilize
surplus pastures, weeds, etc A good
breeding eve, costing IS, will live on
what she can pick up and produce a
lamb, and frequently two, worth IS
each the first of each June.
Our present legislature should pass
such law. Following is given an out
line embodying the essential features
OF all the dog laws now in force in the
different states
Taxation of Dogs.
/. State to license and tax all dogs
six months of age or over which are
not licensed and taxed by cities or in
corporated villages.
2. All licensed dogs to be taxed as
follows:
One male. $I.5O
Each additional male. ... 500
One female. 800
Each additional female. ....... 500
Kennel licenses to be issued with
restrictions (See Kennel License
Law of State of Connecticut)
3. Counties or townships should be
empowered to levy additional taxes on
dogs should it be deemed necessary.
Issuing License, Payment of Tax and
identification Of Dogs.
/. All dogs six months of age or
over to be reported by owner to proper
county official for licensing. owner
shall also be responsible for relicens-
ing dogs attend of year
2. All taxes to be paid by owner to
proper county official at time Of
licensing.
8. All dogs to wear collar showing
owners name and having attached a
metal plate bearing license number
and date and place of issue of license.
Handling Of sheep-KlIline Dogs.
1--ncgs may he killed by aqy one.
(a) When caught chasing or killing
sheep. (o) When caught off owners
premises, unattended and without a
collar bearing license number.
2. A reward of SIS to be offered by
proper county official to any one
Identifying sheep-killing dog. Money
for payment of reward to be taken
from funds accommodating from dog
taxes.)
8. Dogs must be ordered killed by
authorized official when proved to be
sheep killers.
Compensation to Sheep owner for
Injured or Killed.
/. Authorized county official to pay
owners of sheep injured or killed, the
full value of damage done, from the
funds accommodating from dog taxes.
Should such funds be insufficient to
pay all damages in full, other funds to
be made available for this purpose.
But should such funds accumulate in
excess of amount required to pay dam
ages, the same to be available for some
public service after three years time.
2. Counties should have power to
proceed against dog owners to regain
all money paid out for injuries to
sheep.