Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                    871

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That a new section be and it is hereby added to Article 63 of the
Annotated Code of Maryland (1951 Edition), title "Mechanics Lien",
sub-title "Hospitals", said new section to be known as Section 52 and
to follow immediately after Section 51 thereof, said section having
been added by Chapter 14 of the Acts of 1954, and to read as follows:

52. Any duly qualified veterinarian as' defined in Article 43 of the
Annotated Code of Maryland, 1951, title "Health", sub-title "State
Board of Veterinary Examiners", giving care or custody, or perform-
ing medical services, or any services necessary or incidental to his
profession to any animal in his care or custody, shall MAY AFTER
SAID ANIMAL IS READY FOR DELIVERY TO THE OWNER
THEREOF notify the owner or client THE PERSON BY WHOM
SAID ANIMAL WAS DELIVERED TO SAID VETERINARIAN
that the animal is ready for delivery and shall render IN PERSON
OR BY GIVING 30 days' notice by registered letter mailed to the
given address, OF SUCH OWNER OR PERSON, or the last
known address, or if said address is unknown such notice shall be
rendered by posting at the court house door of the city or county
wherein the animal is located for a period of 30 days. After the
expiration of said SO days⁹ notice, either by registered letter or by
posting at the court house door of the city or county wherein the,
animal is located, if the animal is not claimed, it shall be considered
abandoned THAT TITLE OF THE OWNER TO THE ANIMAL IS
FORFEITED and the veterinarian shall have the right to:

(a) Sell the animal at either public or private sale, except for
purposes of experimentation or vivisection, provided such sale is
advertised in a local newspaper on at least two occasions seven days
apart. Proceeds of such sale shall be applied, first, to the expenses
thereof, second, to the liquidation of such indebtedness, and the
balance, if any, shall be held for the benefit of the owner or client for
a period of 30 days, after which time the veterinarian shal SHALL
turn the same over to the local Board of Education; or

(b) Offer the animal for placement, except for purposes of experi-
mentation or of vivisection; or

(c) (B) Turn the animal over to the local sheriff to be handled in
the customary manner. AN ANIMAL WELFARE AGENCY LO-
CATED WITHIN THE COUNTY WHERE SAID ANIMAL IS
LOCATED OR IF NO SUCH AGENCY IS LOCATED IN THAT
COUNTY THEN TO THE NEAREST SUCH AGENCY.

The exercise of any of the rights hereinabove given shall not pre-
vent subsequent action at law for the collection of any moneys remain-
ing due and unpaid to the veterinarian.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1957.

Approved April 10, 1957.