COMPENSATION 107 



had taken that means of abandoning the dog, he 

 would thereby relinquish all right and title to the 

 animal, which would thus become the property of 

 the bailee. Could the veterinarian prove this, he 

 clearly would not be assessed for the loss of the 

 animal; and he might be able to collect the full 

 amount of the board from A on the contract made. 

 80. Contract and Lien. There may be some pos- 

 sible question raised at settlement of account as to 

 the purpose for which an animal was left with the 

 veterinarian. It is the veterinarian's duty to him- 

 self to safeguard himself as much as possible. 

 It is a custom in bailment generally for the bailee 

 to give to the bailor some fonn of a receipt. It 

 would be well for the veterinarian to do the same 

 where animals are left with him either for board 

 or treatment. It is customaiy in many veterinary 

 infinnaries to make out a memorandum card for 

 each patient or boarder. This may be worded as 

 a receipt and made in duplicate and one copy given 

 the owner. It should state the name and address 

 given by the bailor, tlie number and kind of ani- 

 mals, or description or name of the animal left, 

 and the purpose for which left; and such receipt 

 should contain a statement to the effect that the 

 animal is left in compliance with the following 

 rules or regulations, to which it is thereby under- 

 stood that the bailor, or owner, agrees. The re- 

 ceipt should state the terms agreed upon, or the 

 fixed charges, and that it is understood that a 

 lien exists upon the animal, or animals, until the 

 bill shall be paid ; or before the animal is removed 

 all accounts must be settled. No verbal agreement, 

 not in harmony with the receipt, has legal value. 



