Passed 8th of January, 1803
An ACT to prevent swine and geese from going at large in the town of
New Market, in Dorchester county.
I. WHEREAS it is represented to this general assembly, by the
inhabitants of the town of New Market, in Dorchester county, that
great inconveniencies and injuries have resulted from the going at
large of swine and geese in said town; for prevention thereof,
II. BE IT ENACTED, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That it
shall and may be lawful for any person or persons residing within
the limits of said town, after the first day of March next, to seize
and secure any swine or geese that may be found at large within the
limits of said town belonging to any person residing therein, and
the same retain in his, her or their possession, till the owner or
owners thereof shall pay the sum of fifty cents for every hog, and
twelve and a half cents for every goose, so taken up, one half for
the use of the person or persons taking up and securing the same,
and the other half for the use of the poor in said county; and in
case the owner or owners of any swine or geese seized and secured as
aforesaid, shall not, within three days after notice of such
seizure, pay the said sum of fifty cents for every hog, and twelve
and a half cents for every goose, seized as aforesaid, to the person
or persons seizing the same, in such case the whole of such seizure
shall be absolutely forfeited for the uses aforesaid, and it shall
be lawful for the person or persons seizing to sell the same, at
public vendue, in the said town, within five days after such
seizure, and to apply the monies arising from such sale to the uses
aforesaid.
III. AND BE IT ENACTED, That if any person or persons receiving
fines or forfeitures under this act, shall not, within ten days
after the receipt thereof, pay over to the trustees of the poor of
Dorchester county one half of the money received as aforesaid, such
person or persons shall forfeit the whole of the money so received,
for the use of the poor of said county, which money, so forfeited,
may be recovered by the trustees aforesaid in the same manner as
other debts of like amount may be recovered.
IV, AND BE IT ENACTED, That if any person or persons shall, by
violence or force, take swine or geese, or any of them, out of the
possession of any person or persons seizing and securing the same by
virtue of this act, without first paying for the same as aforesaid,
and shall be thereof convicted, either by confession or verdict,
such person or persons shall be fined in a sum not exceeding twenty
dollars current money for every such offence.
V. AND BE IT ENACTED, That if any person shall be sued or impleaded
for any thing done by virtue of this act, the defendant may plead
the general issue, and give this act and the special matter in
evidence.