106 ESSENTIALS OF VETERINARY LAW 



according to many circumstances. A fuller dis- 

 cussion of the subject will be found in Chapter X. 



Veterinarians know that dogs and cats are fre- 

 quently left with them by humane persons, simply 

 to assure the animals a home, and with no expec- 

 tation or intention of ever claiming the animal 

 again. Others are left in good faith when the own- 

 ers are to be away from home for a time. It is 

 often impossible for the bailee to know to which 

 class his patron may belong. It therefore becomes 

 important for him to protect himself. 



Let us suppose a few cases : A brings a dog to 

 the dog hospital and asks the terms for keeping- 

 it. He says that he is going away for a time and 

 wants his dog well cared for. He states that he 

 values the dog, on account of associations, at 

 $1,000. He pays for ten weeks' board and departs. 

 The animal, we may suppose, is practically worth- 

 less for any one else. At the close of nine months 

 or a year, not having heard from A, the veterina- 

 rian concludes that A has simply abandoned the 

 dog, and orders it killed. The next day A appears 

 and asks for his dog, and the bill for its keep. The 

 veterinarian cannot comply with the demand for 

 the animal. He is then liable for the value of the 

 dog, and in such a case the value would probably 

 be assessed by the jur^^ at a price nearer the 

 appraisement of the owner than that of the bailee. 

 Further; because the bailee failed to keep his 

 contract and deliver the dog, it is questionable 

 whether any jury would ponnit him to deduct any 

 amount for the board of the animal. 



But if A, a few days after leaving the dog, 

 should chance to meet B, and inform him that ho 



