Chap. 182.—An AOT to Protect Sheep in the County of Shenandoah.
Approved March 20, 1875.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That it shall be the duty of tho assessor or commissioner of
revenue for the county of Shenandoah to take annually, at
the time of listing the taxable property therein, a list of all
dogs, showing whether male or female, with the name of
the owner or person in whose possession the same are
found, upon the oath or affirmation of the owner or house-
keeper, 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 premises, whether owned by him (or her)
or not, and sball return such list of dogs to the clerk’s office,
and an accurate copy of said list to the county treasurer of
said county at the time when he returns his list of taxable
property, under the like fines, penalties, and forfeitures as
are now incurred by him for neglect of any similar duties,
under cxisting laws, as to his duties in listing and returning
lists of taxable property. |

2. That every dog kept or staying about any house shall
be deemed sufficient evidence of ownership to authorize tho
assessor to return the person inhabiting said house as the
owner of such dog; and every dog not returned, or if re-
turned and the tax be not paid thereon, shall be deemed to
have no owner, and may be Jawfully killed by any person
seeing him run at large.

3. Upon complaint of any person to a justice of the
peace, that there is a dog kept or staying about the premises
of any person that is not listed, the justice shall summon
such person and the assessor or commissioner of revenue to
appear before him, and sball hear and decide the case; and
if the complaint be found to be true, the assessor or commis-
sioner shall thereupon list said dog; and if the owner fail to
pay the tax thereon and the costs thereby incurred within
ten days thereafter, he shali be fined two dollars and costs—
one-half of said fine to go to the informer. In any case
where the owner of a dog is delinquent in the payment 0!
the tax on the same, or any fine arising from a non-compli
ance with this act, it shall be the duty of the constable o!
the district to kill saidgdog, for which he shall receive a fe
of one dollar, out of the fund hereinafter provided, and tx
that end the constable shall obtain a list frem the county
treasurer of all the delinquents in his district, and shalt
within thirty days discharge his duty in this behalf; and on
failure so to do, he shall be fined by any justice of the peacx
of his district one dollar for each dog.

4. That when said assessor or commissioner of revenue
shall have ascertained the number of dogs, they shall assess
a license tax of seventy-five cents per head on all male dogs.
and on every slut or female dog, two dollars shall be assessed:
and said sums so assessed shall be collected, or caused to be
colleeted, and accounted for by the county treasurer as
county lovies are by Iaw directed to be collected and ac-
counted for; and the treasurer shall keep a separate account
of the fund arising trom said tax, and tbe fines or penaltics
resulting from the execution of this act. The said fund shall
be, and is hereby appropriated to the payment of the fee
to the constable, as provided for in the third section of this
act, for remunerating the inhabitants of said county for any
loss they may sustain from dogs killing or crippling their
sheep, and for paying any expense in entorcing this act not
otherwise provided for, and for paying such premiums as
may be hereinafter provided; and the residue, if any, shall
be applied to the free schools in said county.

5. That it shall be the duty of uuy justice of the peace m
said county, on an application of the owner of sheep, or bis
agent, which have been killed or severely wounded by dogs,
since the commencement of” this ‘ict,:to issue a summons to
three freeholders in the neighborhood, any two of whom
may act, who, being legally sworn, shall go forthwith on the
premises where such sheep may be, and examine into the
facts and justice of the claim and appraise the amount of
damages sustained by the owner, and return a certificate of
the same under their hands to the said owner or his agent.
and a like certificate to the clerk of said county, who shall
receive the same and present them to the board of super-
visors of said county at their next mecting.

6. The board of supervisars shall allow out of the fand
created by this act such premiums for killing foxes, wolves.
wild cats, and pantbers as, in their judgment, they sbali
deem best to further the objects of this act; they are em-
powered to make such changes in the premiums, and make
such regulations for establishing rights thereto and_ for
guarding against frauds on the treasury as experience may
suggest; and also for identifying the dogs on which the tax
has been paid. They shall also order the payment of all
fees and charges in enforcing this act, and shall, annually,
apportion the fund ratably amongst the owners of said cer-
tificates, and order their payment. It shall be the duty ot
the attorney for the commonwealth to be present and
represent the interests of the county when these claims aro
decided.

7. All payments made by the treasurer out of funds created
by this act shall be on the order of the board of supervisors,
certified by the county clerk.

8. The treasurer shall, annually, at the yearly meeting of
the board of supervisors, make a settlement with said board
of his management of this fund, which settlement shall be
recorded by the clerk. .

9. The fees of officers employed in the ‘execution of this
act shall be similar to those received for like seryice; and
where none are prescribed by law, the board of supervisors
shall make such proper compensation; all of which shall be
paid out of the aforesaid fund.

10. This act shall not effect sections five and six of chapter
one hundred and two of the Code of eighteen hundred and
seventy-three. '

11. This act shall be in force from its passage.