32 CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS. [ART. 27

ing or forgery committed before this section takes effect shall
continue and be of the same force and effect as if said law had
not been repealed.

Cruelty to Animals.

1900, ch. 462.

46 E. Whenever a fine is imposed in any such case by any
court or justice of the peace, one-half thereof shall be paid to
the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
of Baltimore City, in case there shall be no society of similar
character in the county, city or town where the offense shall have
been committed, in which latter event the said one-half of the
fine shall be paid to the said local society; and any officer of
said society, or any society or association for the prevention of
cruelty to animals, duly incorporated under the laws of this
State, shall upon his own view of any misdemeanor in relation
to cruelty to animals make arrests and bring before any magis-
trate or justice of the peace offenders found violating the laws
of this State in relation to cruelty to animals.

1900, ch. 456.

46 J. Any officer or agent of the Maryland Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or of any society or associa-
tion for the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated.
under the laws of this State, may take charge of any animal,
found abandoned that may appear to be diseased or disabled
beyond recovery for any useful purpose, and thereupon shall, as
quickly as may be, cause such animal to be appraised under oath
by two reputable citizens, who shall view the same in his pres-
ence, and determine its value; and if such appraised value does
not exceed five dollars, such officer may at once cause said animal
to be killed in a humane manner; said society shall thereupon
be¹ indebted to the owner for the amount of its value, except when
the appraisers determine that the death of the animal was ren-
dered necessary by the owner's wilful abandonment or cruelty;
said appraisers shall thereupon make oath to a certificate of their
finding as to abandonment, value and necessity of death of said
animal before a justice of the peace or notary public, which cer-
tificate shall be in writing and be evidence of the truth of the
matter contained therein.