106 ANNUAL, REFORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



were infected, and they spread infection among the horses in stables 

 that they occupied. From this center, glanders was carried to some 

 neighboring counties and everj^thing was ready for the beginning of 

 a very extensive and widespread outbreak when the disease was dis- 

 covered. In connection with the suppression of this outbreak in 

 York, difficulty arose in regard to the destruction of one of the badly 

 infected and manifestly dis^eased horses. In order that the author- 

 ity of law for dealing witi. such cases might be made clear, the fol- 

 lowing inquiry was sent to the Attorney General: 



Office of the State Veterinarian, 

 Harrisburg, Pa., February 16, 1906. 



Hon. Hampton L. Carson, 

 Attornev General, 

 Harrisburg, Pa. 



Sir: I beg to apply to you for advice on the following subject: 

 The State Livestock Sanitary Board is authorized under the Act 

 approved May 21st, 1895 (P. L. Xo. 66) to take certain action for the 

 prevention, suppression, etc., of infectious diseases among domestic 

 animals, and, in particular, it is authorized and empowered to de- 

 stroy animals, as may be necessary. It is, however, provided, that 

 when it shall be deemed necessary to condemn and kill an animal to 

 prevent the spread of disease, and when an agreement cannot be 

 made with the owner for the value thereof, that three appraisers 

 shall be appointed, one by the owner, one by the commission (Board) 

 or its authorized agent, and the third by the two so appointed, who 

 shall, under oath or affirmation, appraise the animal. The Act of 

 March 30, 1905 (P. L. No. 56) provides, in Section 5, certain limits 

 of appraisement, but does not modify the procedure with relation to 

 appraisement. The point in this connection upon which I need in- 

 formation is as to the authority of the State Livestock Sanitary 

 Board to condemn and order the destruction of a horse afflicted 

 with glanders, the owner of which refuses to enter into any agree- 

 ment as to the value of the animal or to designate an appraiser to 

 represent him. The horse in question is incurably diseased. Glan- 

 ders is a highly infectious disease, easily transmissible to horses and 

 mules and also to men. The horse is now in quarantine and is 

 kept in a partially isolated stall, from, which it is not permitted 

 to be removed, but the conditions are such that the continued exist- 

 ence of this horse on the premises of its owner constitutes a menace 

 to the health of the horses and mules, and to a less degree of persons, 

 in the neighborhood. 



Verv truly yours, 



LEONARD PEARSON, 



State Veterinarian. 



In response to this inquiry the following reply was received: 



