The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1919-09-05
Enforce The Dog Law

The Dog Law passed in 1918 fol
Maryland dog owners and farmers
protection was in effect last year, but
many of its requirements and penal
Notwithstanding this neglect to obey
the laws demands $4,813.25 was col
lected by the County Treasurer anc
magistrates from lawabiding citizens
in Prince Georges. Of this amount
$1,217.75 was paid in fees to the collec-
tors and $761.20 was paid to citizens
for loss of stock and poultry killed by
dogs. She remainder, 1884. 80, was re-
ceived by the County Commissioners
and applied. as the law directs, to the
payment of public road bills in the
different districts.
Those who paid this tax claim, and
properly, that dog owners who did net
comply with the provisions of the law
should in fairness be compelled to con-
tribute their share to the general wei
fare. The tax paid by the dog owners
is very light one for the privilege of
keeping these dogs for the pleasure of
having them as we'll as the danger they
may inf1ict on their neighbore' property
and it may be added, in parentheses, it
is usually the worthless dogs that
should be XII led that do the most
damage. This tax is but one of two
dollars year each and less by the
kennel. This Is required to be paid OH
vi before the first day of July of each
year This date is now passed for the
year 1919, and the owners who have
not paid this small fee and obtaine,
their licenses and tags are default ano
liable to the laws penalties for the d.
Law This is for dogs six months old r
over
The County Commissioners have ap-
pointed persons in every district to
visit all houses and return list of al
owners of dogs in their respective
district. Persons failing to secu e
licenses by Sept 18th will be punishe d
as the law provides.
The penalties are: That any dog
seen pursuing live stock, poultry OF
hum ans Or worrying the same may b.
killed on sight whether it wears tag
or not; an unlicensed dog that enters
any fields or yard constitutes private
nuisance and may be killed by the
owner of the property, his agent or
tenant while on the property, and su
female dogs running at large may he
killed. Any of the killings herein en-, :
nlerated are without responsibility It
the killer for damages. If the dog dc
ing the damage complained of, afte,
notice by the Commissioner, is MT
killed, the owner is liable for futur,
damages. In addition to the loss of tn. |
dogs by sudden death, the law provide: |
that the owners commit misdemeano !
for failure to comply with any of it.
provisions, which as we read it, include |
a failure to pay the tax and take out /;
license, and upon conviction by jus
tice of the peace or the Circuit Cour |
of the county shall be fined from SIS to
$25, or shall be imprisoned in the coun-
ty Jail for 80 days, or both fined aid
imprisoned, in the discretion of the |
court that makes the conviction.
This law supersedes all public gen
eral and public local laws, in whole o.
in part, applicable to the counties of
the State. 1t is sufficiently persuasive
to induce all good men to comply with
it's provisions and drastic enough to
make good citizens out of the unlawful |
ones. All good citizens should cooper
ate with the Commissioners in securing
its rigid enforcement without regard
to persons who are delinquents. Fair
ness and justice to all requires compli-
ance with the provision of the law.