reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 4-14-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-5 - Sale of impounded animals.

§ 4-14-5. Sale of impounded animals.If the owner of impounded beasts shall not, within ten (10) days after the impounding, pay and satisfy the damages appraised and the charges of impounding and feeding those beasts, or shall not replevy those beasts, the poundkeeper shall cause them to be sold by public auction in the city or town where they are impounded, first advertising the sale by giving personal notice to the owner of the beasts, if he or she be known, and if he or she be not known, by posting notices of the sale at least three (3) days before the sale in three (3) public places in the city or town in which the beasts are impounded.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-5.
RI Gen L § 4-14-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-6 - Disposition of proceeds of sale.

§ 4-14-6. Disposition of proceeds of sale.The proceeds of sale, after paying all the damages, costs, and expenses, with the costs of advertising and selling the beasts, shall be paid into the city or town treasury, for the use of the owner of those beasts, if he or she substantiates his or her claim within two (2) years from sale.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 5; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-6.
RI Gen L § 4-14-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-7 - Feeding of impounded animals - Collection of fees.

§ 4-14-7. Feeding of impounded animals — Collection of fees.The poundkeeper shall feed the impounded beasts at the charge of the owner, and he or she shall not deliver them to the owner until the owner pays the fees, together with the sum demanded for damages and all other legal costs and expenses.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 6; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-7.
RI Gen L § 4-14-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-8 - Impoundment fees.

§ 4-14-8. Impoundment fees.The poundkeeper shall be allowed as his or her fee for impounding, for each neat-beast or horse, twenty-five cents (25¢); for each hog or sheep, five cents (5¢); and for each notification set up, or notice given to the owner, twenty-five cents (25¢); and ten cents (10¢) per mile for travel in giving personal notice, to be computed from the pound to the place of service.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 7; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 7; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-8.
RI Gen L § 4-14-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-9 - Action for damages after impounded animals returned to owner.

§ 4-14-9. Action for damages after impounded animals returned to owner.If the owner of the impounded beasts within two (2) days after they are impounded, demand of and receive from the poundkeeper those impounded beasts and pay the charges, and if the person impounding has not lodged with the poundkeeper a statement of damages, he or she may have his or her action for those damages, provided he or she performs all the requisitions and proceedings mentioned in § 4-14-3.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-9.
RI Gen L § 4-14-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-10 - Replevin to recover impounded animals.

§ 4-14-10. Replevin to recover impounded animals.Any person whose beasts are impounded may, if he or she sees cause, maintain a writ of replevin, to be sued out and prosecuted before the district court having jurisdiction in the city or town where they were impounded.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 9; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 9; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 9; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-10.
RI Gen L § 4-14-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-11 - Procedure in replevin.

§ 4-14-11. Procedure in replevin.The writ shall be sued out, served and returned, and the cause heard and determined in like manner as other civil actions before a district court in all particulars in which a different course is not prescribed.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 10; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 10; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-11.
RI Gen L § 4-14-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-12 - Replevin bond.

§ 4-14-12. Replevin bond.The writ shall not be served unless the plaintiff or some one in his or her behalf executes and delivers to the officer a bond to the defendant, with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the officer, in a penalty double the value of the beasts to be replevied, with condition to prosecute the replevin to final judgment and to pay any damages and costs as the defendant shall recover against him or her, and also to return the beasts in case that is the final judgment, which bond the officer shall return with the writ, to be left with the court for the use of the defendant.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 11; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 11; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 11; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-12.
RI Gen L § 4-14-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-13 - Judgment in replevin.

§ 4-14-13. Judgment in replevin.If it appears that the beasts were lawfully impounded, the defendant shall have judgment for any sum as shall be found due from the plaintiff for the damages for which the beasts were impounded, together with all the legal fees, costs, charges, and expenses and the costs of the action of replevin, or instead of this judgment the court may, in its discretion, enter judgment for a return of the beasts to the defendant, to be held by him or her irrepleviable by the plaintiff and for defendant's damage for the taking by the replevin and for his or her costs of suit. In case the plaintiff in replevin shall not enter his or her suit in replevin, the defendant may file his or her complaint before the court and have judgment against the plaintiff as provided.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 12; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 12; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 12; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-13.
RI Gen L § 4-14-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-14 - Disposition of replevied animals returned to defendant.

§ 4-14-14. Disposition of replevied animals returned to defendant.Whenever the beasts are returned to the defendant pursuant to a judgment under § 4-14-13, they shall be held and disposed of in like manner as if they had not been replevied.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 13; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 13; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-14.
RI Gen L § 4-14-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-15 - Judgment for plaintiff in replevin.

§ 4-14-15. Judgment for plaintiff in replevin.If it appears, upon the default of the defendant or otherwise, that the beasts were taken without sufficient or justifiable cause, the plaintiff shall have judgment for his or her damages caused by the unjust taking and detaining of the beasts, and for his or her costs of suit.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 14; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 14; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 14; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 14; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-15.
RI Gen L § 4-14-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-16 - Appeal in replevin.

§ 4-14-16. Appeal in replevin.Either party may, in the district court, claim an appeal in the action brought pursuant to § 4-14-13, in the same manner and with the same effect as is by law provided in other civil actions in a district court.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 15; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 15; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 15; P.L. 1929, ch. 1331, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 15; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-16.
RI Gen L § 4-14-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-17 - Actions beyond jurisdiction of district court.

§ 4-14-17. Actions beyond jurisdiction of district court.Whenever the sum demanded for damages exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000) or whenever the ownership in the beasts is in question and their value exceeds that sum, the action shall be brought before the superior court for the same county, and whenever this fact appears of record or in evidence in any action brought in the district court, the district court shall proceed no further; but shall certify the action to the superior court for that county, which shall proceed to try the action as if it had originally been brought there.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 16; C.P.A. 1905, § 1124; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 16; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 16; P.L. 1929, ch. 1331, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 16; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-17; P.L. 1969, ch. 239, § 47.
RI Gen L § 4-14-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-18 - Appraisal in action for damages against owner of animals.

§ 4-14-18. Appraisal in action for damages against owner of animals.If the aggrieved person proceeds by action against the owner or keeper of the trespassing beasts, he or she shall get two (2) disinterested inhabitants of the city or town where the trespass was committed to appraise the damages and to give him or her a certificate, in writing, under their hands, which certificate shall be attached to his or her writ and makes an essential part of the writ; and under no circumstances shall he or she recover from the defendant in the action, unless the appraisal and certificate are made within ten (10) days after the time the trespass was committed, nor then to a greater amount of damages than the amount named in the certificate.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 17; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 17; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 17; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 17; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-18.
RI Gen L § 4-14-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-19 - Right of action where animals break division fence.

§ 4-14-19. Right of action where animals break division fence.Nothing in this chapter contained shall be construed as to impair the right of any proprietor or occupant of land to recover all the damages which he or she sustains by any cattle, sheep, horses, or hogs breaking into his land through that part of the division fence between him or her and the adjoining owner which it is the right and duty of that adjoining owner to repair, if that part of the division fence at the time is out of repair or not conformable to law.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 129, § 18; G.L. 1909, ch. 155, § 18; G.L. 1923, ch. 185, § 18; G.L. 1938, ch. 642, § 18; G.L. 1956, § 4-14-19.
RI Gen L § 4-14-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-14 - Damage by Animals|Section 4-14-20 - Use of the terms owner or guardian.

§ 4-14-20. Use of the terms owner or guardian.Wherever the word "owner" shall appear in this chapter it shall also mean and may be interchanged with the word "guardian" as defined in § 4-1-1.History of Section.P.L. 2001, ch. 72, § 7.
RI Gen L § 4-15-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-1 - Municipal pounds.

§ 4-15-1. Municipal pounds.Every town or city may maintain at its own charge one or more public pounds, for the impounding of horses, mules, neat-cattle, sheep, goats, geese, hogs, and asses and for the securing of those animals agreeable to law in some convenient place or places in that town or city.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 127, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 153, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 183, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 643, § 1; P.L. 1952, ch. 3001, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-1.
RI Gen L § 4-15-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-2 - Appointment of field drivers.

§ 4-15-2. Appointment of field drivers.The town and city councils of the several towns and cities may appoint one or more field drivers for their cities and towns, with the same power to impound animals as the freeholders and qualified voters of the cities and towns.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 40, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 50, § 6; G.L. 1923, ch. 51, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 333, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-2.
RI Gen L § 4-15-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-3 - Impoundment of animals at large on highways.

§ 4-15-3. Impoundment of animals at large on highways.If any horse, neat-beast, sheep, or hog is going at large in any highway or common, or on any land thrown open as a way for public travel and used by the public for travel, any freeholder or qualified elector or field driver may, and every surveyor of highways of the town within which that animal is at large shall, take up the animal and impound it in one of the public pounds of that city or town, and every surveyor of highways of the city or town may appoint in writing a deputy or deputies for that purpose, filing in the office of the city or town clerk a copy of that appointment.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-3.
RI Gen L § 4-15-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-4 - Grazing animals deemed at large.

§ 4-15-4. Grazing animals deemed at large.Every horse, neat-beast, sheep, or hog which feeds or grazes upon any highway or common, or on any land thrown open as a way for public travel and used by the public for travel, is deemed to be going at large.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-4.
RI Gen L § 4-15-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-5 - Animals in private ways in Newport.

§ 4-15-5. Animals in private ways in Newport.Horses, neat-cattle, sheep, and hogs are deemed to be at large within the meaning of this chapter within the limits of any private way in the city of Newport, without the consent of the owners of the fee in that private way, and that private way, for the purpose of authorizing the taking up and impounding of those animals, is deemed a common within the meaning of this chapter.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-5.
RI Gen L § 4-15-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-6 - Care of impounded animals.

§ 4-15-6. Care of impounded animals.The keeper of any pound in which any animal is impounded shall receive, keep, and feed the animal in that pound and he or she shall and may milk any impounded cow for his or her own use.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-6.
RI Gen L § 4-15-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-7 - Fees paid to poundkeeper.

§ 4-15-7. Fees paid to poundkeeper.(a) The owner of any impounded animal shall not take the animal out of the pound until he or she first pays to the poundkeeper, the expenses of keeping that animal, no regard being had to the milk derived from the animal, and the fees of the poundkeeper for receiving the animal into the pound, namely: for each horse and neat-beast, not more than five dollars ($5.00); for each sheep and hog, not more than three dollars ($3.00); for every notification set up, or notice given to the owner, not more than one dollar ($1.00); and the following penalties, namely: for every horse, neat-beast, hog, and sheep, not more than two dollars ($2.00) as by ordinance provided by each town or city.(b) The Richmond town council is authorized to enact ordinances:(1) Prohibiting the owner or custodian of any animal including, but not limited to, horses, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, emus, llamas, alpacas, rabbits, poultry, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, pea fowl, peacocks, ostriches, reptiles, and birds, to allow that animal to be at large;(2) Authorizing the animal control officer or any police officer to seize and impound any animal found off the property of its owner or custodian;(3) Imposing the penalties prescribed by 4-13-1(b)(12) for allowing any animal to be at large; and(4) Permitting the animal control officer or any police officer to issue citations for violations and to provide for payment of fines by mail.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 5; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 5; P.L. 1955, ch. 3571, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-7; P.L. 2011, ch. 141, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 142, § 2.
RI Gen L § 4-15-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-8 - Disposition of penalties.

§ 4-15-8. Disposition of penalties.The poundkeeper shall pay one half (½) of every sum received by him or her as a penalty, in pursuance of § 4-15-7, to the city or town treasurer of the city or town in which the pound is situated, and one half (½) to the person who impounded the animal.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 6; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-8.
RI Gen L § 4-15-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-9 - Advertising and notice of impoundment.

§ 4-15-9. Advertising and notice of impoundment.After any animal has been impounded for forty-eight (48) hours, the poundkeeper shall immediately post up notifications in at least three (3) public places in the city or town with that pound, one of which shall be at or near the office of the city or town clerk of that city or town, describing the natural and artificial marks, if any, on the animal, or shall give notice in writing to the owner of the animal.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 7; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 7; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-9.
RI Gen L § 4-15-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-10 - Delivery of unclaimed animal to city or town treasurer.

§ 4-15-10. Delivery of unclaimed animal to city or town treasurer.If no owner appears within five (5) days from the date of notification, or notice, and pays the penalty and charges, the poundkeeper shall deliver the animal to the city or town treasurer of the city or town, with a statement, in writing, of the time and manner in which the animal was impounded and of the proceedings of that poundkeeper in relation to the animal, together with an account of the charges and expenses due from the owner of the animal to the poundkeeper by virtue of this chapter.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-10.
RI Gen L § 4-15-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-11 - Sale of unclaimed animals - Disposition of proceeds.

§ 4-15-11. Sale of unclaimed animals — Disposition of proceeds.If the city or town treasurer finds the proceedings of the poundkeeper correct, he or she shall sell the animal at public auction, after giving reasonable notice of the sale, and shall, out of the proceeds of the sale, pay the incidental expenses of the sale, the cost of keeping the animal after the animal was delivered to him or her by the poundkeeper for sale, the expenses, charges and penalty, and in the order provided in this chapter, if the proceeds of the sale are not sufficient to pay all the expenses.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 9; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 9; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 9; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-11.
RI Gen L § 4-15-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-12 - Conveyances found with impounded animals.

§ 4-15-12. Conveyances found with impounded animals.If any horse or other animal, attached to any vehicle, sledge, or sleigh, is found at large, abandoned, or with no person in charge of the animal, upon any highway or common, or on any land thrown open as a way for public travel and used by the public for travel, any person authorized under this chapter to impound animals going at large, may impound the vehicle, sledge, or sleigh, together with the vehicle, sledge or sleigh attached and the harness and other property, in one of the public pounds of that city or town. The animal shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter, and the vehicle, sledge or sleigh, harness and other property, shall be held, surrendered or, after thirty (30) days' notice by the town or city treasurer, sold, under the same liabilities, powers, provisions, and restrictions prescribed in this chapter relating to horses and other animals impounded.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 10; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 10; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-12.
RI Gen L § 4-15-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-13 - Application of chapter to goats and geese.

§ 4-15-13. Application of chapter to goats and geese.If any city or town votes to extend the provisions of this chapter to goats and to geese going at large within its limits, those goats and geese shall subject their owner to the same obligations and duties and shall themselves be disposed of in the same way as is in this chapter provided in relation to the animals named in this section.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 11; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 11; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 11; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-13.
RI Gen L § 4-15-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 4 - Animals and Animal Husbandry|Chapter 4-15 - Animals at Large|Section 4-15-14 - Fees and penalties for goats and geese.

§ 4-15-14. Fees and penalties for goats and geese.The fees of the poundkeeper for receiving goats shall be four cents (4¢) each, and for receiving geese two cents (2¢) each, and the penalty shall be twenty cents (20¢) for each goat and five cents (5¢) for each goose.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 128, § 12; G.L. 1909, ch. 154, § 12; G.L. 1923, ch. 184, § 12; G.L. 1938, ch. 641, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 4-15-14.