474 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 255

The County Treasurer or Warden shall mark across the face
of all such certificates and their corresponding stubs the
word "Adoption".

The unauthorized possession of a dog or dogs by any person
not the true owner, for a period exceeding five days without
notifying either the owner, the Warden or local society under
contract to handle stray dogs, or in the absence of either then
the local police authority, of such possession, shall be pre-
sumptive evidence of larceny.

256-I. DISPOSITION OF DEAD Docs. The owner of any dog
which has died from disease or any other cause shall forthwith
provide for the cremation or burial of the same. If he fails
to do so a justice of the peace or police officer, after notice to
said owner, shall direct the Warden to dispose of the carcass
for which service the said justice of the peace shall require the
owner to pay the Warden the sum of Three Dollars ($3. 00) in
full settlement for the services rendered.

If the owner of any dead dog is not known and after inquiry
cannot be found, the compensation of Two Dollars ($2. 00) to
the Warden shall be paid from the Bounty Fund of the
district where the dog was licensed, or if not licensed, then
from said fund in the district where the carcass was found.

256J. DESTRUCTION OF AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR DOMESTIC
ANIMALS. Owners of property seeking compensation from the
County are charged with the duty of providing reasonable
care and protection for their animals and the requirements of
this Section are to be construed strictly.

Whoever suffers loss by dogs on his own property by the
maiming or killing of his livestock or poultry, outside the
premises of the owners or keepers of such dogs, may, provided
he acts within forty-eight hours from the date of his knowledge
of the occurrence, apply to any justice of the peace in his
district for the appointment of three disinterested persons,
not being related or members of the family or household, as
appraisers to view, if possible, and appraise the damages by
him claimed; and they, or a majority of them, under oath,
shall state in writing to the Board of County Commissioners
their reasons for believing that a dog did the damage, the
number of each kind of animal injured or killed, the character
and extent of the injury done, the reasonable salvage possible
and the net amount of damages sustained by the owners. The
owner and the appraisers shall make oath that they believe
the damage was done by a dog and when the claim so com-
pleted is filed with the said Board it shall direct the Warden
of the district to view the premises and, if possible, the
animals or carcasses, and investigate the claim and its manner
of proof, and determine, if possible, the identity and owner-