250 Pennsylvania Dog-Law, 



Our dog-law is a good one; and it does not exclude tlic 

 remedy, at common law, against a person keeping a dog 

 knowing him to be addicted to sheep-killing. Our act 

 imposes a tax on dogs. For one dog it is light, for a se- 

 cond, kept by the same person, or in the same family, it is 

 heavier ; and it is so increased for a third, or a greater 

 number, as to amount, if not to a prohibition, at least to a 

 check, on the unreasonable multiplication of the num- 

 bers of dogs. The tax is paid into the county treasury. 

 The value of sheep killed by dogs is ascertained by the 

 persons chosen, in every township, for the settlement of 

 township accounts ; and paid out of the county treasury, 

 on the certificates of the appraisers. The balance re- 

 maining, after the demands on the fund are satisfied, is 

 to be laid out, by the county commissioners, for the 

 purchase of merino^ or other good sheep ; to be distri- 

 buted, for the benefit of farmers, in a mode prescribed. 

 In the city, the tax is applied in relief of the poor rates. 

 Those who are notified that their dogs have killed 

 sheep, must kill them ; or subject themselves to con- 

 sequences. 



This law is intended for the protection of valuable 

 property ; and to encourage the breed of the best ra- 

 ces of sheep. Appraisers should enter into its spirit 

 and meaning, by just valuations of sheep killed by 

 dogs. If they make no distinction between good and 

 ordinary breeds, one great object of die law is defeated. 

 Speculating and capricious price should not, 'tis true, 

 be the criterion : but a reasonable and current one, for 

 the kinddi sheep, and its use to the owner, while living, 

 should certainly be the rule. Instead of viewing the 

 subject in this light, I have been informed of some in- 



