Chap. 18.—An ACT to amend the first section of an act entitled an
act for the protection of sheep in the counties of Bedford, Fauquier,
Wythe, and Botetourt, approved March 17th, 1876, as amended by
an act approved April 2d, 1877.

Approved January 14, 1878.

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
Botetourt, approved March seventeen, eighteen hundred and
seventy-six, as amended by an act approved April second,
eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, 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 reve-
nue for the counties of Bedford and Montgomery 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 head of the 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, plantation,
or premises; whether owned by him or her, or not; and an
accurate list of dogs shall be returned to the clerk’s office,
and a copy of said list to the county treasurer, at the time
when said commissioners returr their lists of taxable prop-
erty: provided, that each housekeeper or family shall be
entitled to hold one dog, which shull not be listed and shall
be free from tax: and provided, also, that any dog under
four months of age shall not be listed. 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.