HARRY HUGHES, Governor

719

(a)  (1) For the purposes of Sections 197 and 198 of this
article, "person" means an individual, receiver, trustee,
guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, or representative
of any kind and any partnership, firm, association, corporation,
or other entity.

(2)  All moneys arising from the dog licenses or taxes
shall be kept in a separate fund by the treasurer of the
respective counties, or tax collecting office thereof, and shall
be used for the payment of damages for the injury and killing of
sheep, poultry or other livestock in the respective counties,
according to the procedures set out in § 198 of this article.

(3)  In the event there are insufficient funds for the
payment of all damages the damages shall be paid in the order the
claims are presented, and any person or persons whose claims are
not paid in any one year by reason of the lack of money to the
credit of the fund, which is to be designated "the dog license
fund," shall be paid out of the first money coming into the fund
after his claim is reached, and shall be paid in the order in
which the claims are proved and filed; and any claims now filed
and passed upon, but remaining unpaid, shall have preference over
any new claims in the order of payment.

(4)  The county commissioners of the several counties
may expend any funds in excess of $1,000 remaining in the hands
of the treasurer or the tax collecting officer after the payment
of the claims for any public purpose which, in their judgment may
seem right and proper, and, whenever in their judgment it may
become necessary to do so, may enter into a contract or agreement
with the persons they may deem suitable, for the removal, care
and disposition of unlicensed dogs, or licensed dogs which may
create a menace to the safety, security and property of the
residents of the counties, on the terms and conditions and for
the compensation that may be agreed to by the county
commissioners and the persons.

(b)   [In Washington County, the County Commissioners are
authorized to pay out of the fund claims for damages to shrubbery
and trees, and for damages to personal property of any kind] THIS
SECTION DOES NOT APPLY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY.

198.

(a) (1) Except in Carroll County, if any person has any
sheep, poultry, or livestock destroyed or injured in a county by
a dog or dogs, the person may apply to the sheriff or the
designated official of the county, who shall appoint three
disinterested persons as appraisers to view and appraise the
damages sustained by the person. In Carroll County, the sheriff
or the designated official of the county shall appoint a deputy
sheriff of the county or an animal control officer as the
appraiser.