THE DOG. 



there. The harbouring of a dog about one's premises, or 

 allowing him to resort there, will warrant indictment. If a 

 dog known to his proprietor to have previously bitten a sheep 

 be retained by him, the proprietor will be liable for all other 

 jnjuries even to any other animals, e.g., a horse ("Burn's 

 Jastifie of the Peace," vol. ii., p. 333). An interdict may be 

 granted against a dog going loose pending a discussion of the 

 question as to whether or not he ought to be killed. Many 

 local police acts contain provisions as to shutting up or 

 muzzling dogs during the prevalence of weather likel/ to pro- 

 duce hydrophobia ; and where such do not exist the subject 

 may be dealt with by a magistrate at common law. Dog- 

 stealing is a misdemeanour punishable, on summary conviction, 

 for the first offence by six calendar months' imprisonment and 

 hard labour, or iine not exceeding twenty pounds above the 

 value of the dog. The second offence is an indictable one 

 punishable by fine and imprisonment and hard labour not ex- 

 ceeding eighteen months, or both. Similar punishment is pro- 

 vided for persons having in their possession dogs or dog-skins, 

 knowing them to be stolen. A dog going into a neighbour's 

 field does not afford ground for an action of trespass unless he 

 does mischief; and even then the person who kills him may, in 

 certain circumstances, be liable for damage. 



Any person, not being the owner, or acting under authority, 

 who administers a poisonous or injurious drug or substance to 

 a dog is liable to fine and imprisonment with hard labour ; but 

 the magistrate may take into consideration any reasonable 

 cause or excuse. 



The duty charged on every dog over six months old (with the 

 exceptions hereafter stated) is seven shillings and sixpence an- 

 nually, for which sum a licence is issued. Dogs used solely 

 for the guidance of a blind person are exempt. Dogs used for 

 the purpose of tending sheep or cattle on a farm and shepherds' 

 dogs are also exempt ; but the exemption only extends to three 

 dogs for four hundred sheep on common or unenclosed land, to 

 four dogs for a thousand sheep, and to an additional dog for 

 every five hundred sheep over that amount ; but no more than 

 eight dogs altogether will be exempted. A shepherd can keep 

 only two dogs free of duty. A master of hounds may claim 

 exemption for whelps under a year old, which have never been 

 used for hunting. 



