622 LAWS or MARYLAND. [CH. 264

destroyed or injured by dogs, he may apply to any justice of
the peace of said county, who shall appoint three disinterested
persons as appraisers to view and appraise the damages by him
sustained, and they or a majority of them, shall, under oath,
state in writing to the County Commissioners the number of
fowls or animals so killed, the character and extent of the in-
jury, if any, and the amount of damages sustained by the
owner, and in like manner they shall give a general description
of both the destroyed and injured fowl or animals, and both
the appraisers and the owners shall make oath that they believe
the same to have been destroyed or injured by dogs, and they or
either of them shall state under oath the names of the owners
of said dogs and when the report of such proceedings shall have
been filed in the office of the County Commissioners the said
Commissioners shall review said report, and if in their judg-
ment the amount of damages stated is unfair they shall award
such amounts as they may deem fair; provided, that before the
Commissioners shall make any reward of damages for the kill-
ing of said fowls or animals the person claiming damages shall
be required to prove to the satisfaction of the County Commis-
sioners that he does not know and is unable with reasonable
diligence, to ascertain the owner of the dogs which did such
damage, or if the said owner is known, to prove to the sat-
isfaction of said Commissioners that it is impracticable to col-
lect the amount of damages sustained by suit against the owner
of said dogs; and in case any dog shall be known to kill any
domestic fowls or animals it shall be lawful for any person to
kill such dog, and in case of damage to any person by reason
of loss or injury to his domestic fowls or animals shall be from
dogs, either his own or kept upon his premises, she shall be en-
titled to no compensation under this Act; and provided, fur-
ther, that said County Commissioners may allow the costs of
appraisement or such proportion thereof as in their discretion
may seem reasonable out of said fund in each case where such
damages are allowed; and may also allow payment for the treat-
ment by the Pasteur or other treatment, of any person who
may be bitten by a mad dog, cat, horse or other animal, and
who is unable to pay for such treatment for himself or herself,
out of such fund, if in the judgment of said County Commis-
sioners the circumstances justify such action.

Section 198. Be it enacted, That all Acts or parts of Acts,
inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed.