THEODORE R. McKELDIN, GOVERNOR                     603

responsible for the loss and report their findings and recommenda-
tions concerning the same. If such identity and ownership is not
known, the Dog License Commission shall review the claim and the
report of its representatives and shall determine the amount, if any
of damages to be awarded and the Commission's award shall be final.
No award or payment on any such claim shall be made unless it is
completed and filed with the said Commission within four days from
the date of appointment of the appraisers.

If the owner of the dog is known, the Commission or its representa-
tive shall impound such dog until authorized by the Commission to
release it and he, together with the claimant sustaining the loss shall
appear before the Commission at their next meeting after notice and
if, after review of the dog, the dog then shall be released provided
it is duly licensed.

If the owner of said dog disputes the liability and refuses to pay
the same, the claimant shall be paid the amount awarded and the Com-
mission then must file suit against the said owner for the sum so paid.

Such owner shall have the right of an appeal from a judgment
against him to the Circuit Court of Baltimore County, provided such
appeal is taken within ten days from the date of the judgment, and
if the decision on appeal is against him, he shall be liable in damages
to the Dog License Commission for the amount of damages paid by
the Commission on the claim, and court cost and expenses.

Provided, however, that no owner of livestock or poultry shall be
reimbursed under the provisions of this section for damages inflicted
by his dog, nor shall he be reimbursed for any damages by any dog
if, at the time such damage was inflicted, he owned or kept or har-
bored an unlicensed dog of licensing age. No reimbursements, under
this section, shall be made for damages by a dog to a dog, cat or other
pet. This section not to deny the right of action by an owner against
another person for injuries resulting to his dog. Awards shall in no
case exceed the fair market value of such livestock or poultry as food
products.

200F. (Owner's Liability for Damage to Person or Property.)
If any dogs shall do any damage to either the body, clothing or other
property of any person, the owner or keeper, or if the owner or
keeper be a minor, the parents or guardian of such minor, shall be
liable for such damages, unless such damages shall have been oc-
casioned to the body or clothing of a person who, at the time such
was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teas-
ing, tormenting, or abusing such dog. A person is lawfully upon the
private property of such owner within the meaning of this Act when
he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon
him by the laws of the State of Maryland, Baltimore County or by the
postal regulations of the United States of America, or when he is on
euch property upon the invitation, expressed or implied, of the owner
thereof.

The owner of any livestock or poultry injured or killed by any dog
may recover as liquidated damages from the owner of such dog,
devoid of proper legal defenses, twice the actual value of the animals
killed or twice the value of damages sustained by reason of said in-
juries as the case may be. If two or more dogs kept by two or more
owners or keepers injure or kill any livestock or poultry at the same