Chap. 285.—An ACT to amend the Ist section of an act entitled an act
for the protection of sheep in the counties of Bedford, Fauquier,
Wythe, and Botetourt, approved March 17, 1876.

Approved April 2, 1877.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
section one of an act entitled an act for the protection of
sheep in the counties of Bedford, Fauquier, Wythe, and Bote-
tourt, approved March seventeen, eighteen hundred and sev-
enty-six, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That it shall be the duty of the commissioners of the revenue
for the counties of Bedford, Fauquier, Wythe, and Botetoart
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. The commissioner shall require the
owner or housekeeper, or the head of a family, with whom,
or on whose lot or plantation any dog or dogs may be found,
to make oath or affirmation as to the number of dogs such
person may own or have, or as may be kept on his lot, plan-
tation, or premises, whether owned by him or her or not,
and an accurate list of dogs shall be returned to the clerk’s
ofhce and a copy of said list to the county treasurer, at the
time when said commissioners return their lists of taxable
property: provided that any dog under four months of age
shall not be listed: and provided also, except as to the coun-
ties of Fauquier, Wythe, and Botetourt, that each house-
keeper or head of a family shall be entitled to hold one male
dog, which shall not be listed and shall be free from tax.
Any commissioner failing herein shall be subject to the same
fines, penalties, and forfeitures which he would incur under
existing laws for the neglect of any of his duties in listing
and returning lists of taxable property.

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