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 jury 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 permit 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 he 
