66

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 16

the fairness of the award of damages in each instance. The
county commissioners shall not change an award unless they
have personal knowledge of its unfairness, or shall receive
competent testimony to the effect that the award is in
excess of a fair commercial valuation of the sheep, poultry
or livestock injured or destroyed by dogs, (c) If the owner
of the dog or dogs doing the damage be known, it is the duty
of the county commissioners to notify the owner or owners to
kill the dog or dogs immediately. [If the dog or dogs be
killed by the owner, after notice as aforesaid, he shall be
exempt from all further liability.] If the owner or owners
refuse or neglect to kill the dog or dogs upon notice as
aforesaid, the owner or owners shall be liable [to the
county commissioners] for the damages to the same extent as
he would be liable in case of negligence or malicious
destruction of property. The county commissioners may in
their discretion have special officers kill the dog or dogs.
(d) In Howard and Montgomery counties, the county council
shall prescribe by law the manner in which the powers,
duties and responsibilities placed within its jurisdiction
and control by this section shall be exercised, (e) In
Washington County no payments shall be made under this
section unless the occurrence is reported to a sheriff or
any deputy sheriff, in order to have appraisers appointed,
within 48 hours of the damage complained of, and unless the
appraisers file their report with the County Commissioners
of Washington County within 15 days after their appointment.
(f) In Washington County, the appraisers to be appointed as
provided by this section may also be appointed by the
sheriff, or any deputy sheriff of the county, (g) In Kent
County, the application to the sheriff shall be made within
thirty days after the occurrence of the injury or
destruction. (h) In Somerset and Dorchester counties, this
section does not apply, (i) In Frederick County, the board
of county commissioners shall prescribe by ordinance or
resolution the manner in which the powers, duties, and
responsibilities placed within its jurisdiction and control
by this section shall be exercised.

252.

(d) The executive director shall employ investigators
and inspectors whose positions shall be within the merit
system established by Article 64A of this Code and may, if a
particular case warrants, contract for the services of
experts. The investigators, inspectors, or contractual
experts shall investigate only home improvement complaints.
The Attorney General of Maryland may appoint a qualified
attorney-at-law who shall serve at the pleasure of the
Attorney General to represent the Commission.

314.

Licenses shall expire on the thirtieth day of September
next following their issuance or renewal and shall become