GAME LAWS. 425 



The duties on dogs are not increased, in proportion 

 to the number kept. 



DOGS EXEMPTED FROM DUTY. 



Whelps, which are not six months old, at the time of returning 

 your list for taxes. 



Dogs belonging to any of the royal family, who are exempt from 

 all duties on sporting. 



Poor persons, who are not assessed for dwelling-houses, may keep 

 one dog, provided it be not a sporting dog. 



PENALTY FOR STEALING DOGS *. 



By 7 and 8 Geo. IV. c. 29, the offender, on conviction, before a 

 justice of peace, to forfeit, for the first offence (over and above the 

 value of the dog), a sum not exceeding 20/. For the second offence, 

 to be imprisoned (with hard labour), not exceeding twelve calendar 

 months, and whipped, at the discretion of the justice. Sect. 31. 



Persons found in possession of a stolen dog, or the skin thereof 

 (knowing them to be stolen), are liable to the same penalties. Sect. 32. 



Such is here the inefficiency of the law, that dog- 

 stealing in London has now become the regular trade of 

 men calling themselves " the Fancy;' 9 and of whom 

 there are, at least, fifty leading characters, besides their 

 spies and outposts. These fellows, by way of a blind 

 to avoid suspicion, either assume the character of plas- 

 terers, carpenters, &c. &c., and carry the very tools in 

 their hands ; or hawk about oranges, hardwares, and 

 other little articles for sale. They have dens in the 



* N. B. This law holds good also for (as the act says) " ANY 

 BEAST or BIRD ordinarily kept in a state of confinement" &c. : and, 

 in sect. 32, it says, " That if any such dog, or any such BEAST, or 

 the skin thereof; or any such BIRD, or any of the PLUMAGE THEREOF, 

 shall be found in the possession, or on the premises, of any person; 

 and the person shall know the same to have been stolen" &c. &c. 

 " liable to the same penalties" 



