Animals and Fish - Historical Notes

The following is a listing of acts that at one time affected, but no longer appear to have any effect on, hunting, fishing or animal control in Chester County.  They are included herein for reference purposes.  Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

1. Acts of 1903, Chapter 84, prohibited the running at large of livestock in Chester County.  Damages caused by livestock gave rise to a lien upon the stock, and the livestock could be taken up and confined.  On unfenced lands, a herdsman was required.  Railroad companies were not relieved of liability for killing or damaging livestock.  This Act was repealed by Private Acts of 1905, Chapter 179.
2. Acts of 1903, Chapter 281, amended Private Acts of 1903, Chapter 84, to change the effective date of the act from April 15, 1903 to January 1, 1904.
3. Acts of 1905, Chapter 179, repealed Private Acts of 1903, Chapter 84, and Private Acts of 1903, Chapter 281.
4. Acts of 1907, Chapter 59, prohibited the running at large of all kinds of livestock in Chester County.  The act permitted a lien on the stock in favor of the person damaged by the trespass, and authorized the sheriff to impound the animals and sell them under the circumstances outlined in the act.
5. Private Acts of 1917, Chapter 511, amended Public Acts of 1915, Chapter 152, a statewide game and fish law, to exempt Chester County from its provisions.
6. Private Acts of 1921, Chapter 405, amended Public Acts of 1919, Chapter 61, to exempt Chester County and many other counties from the provisions of a statewide dog registration law.
7. Private Acts of 1923, Chapter 63, made it illegal for any person to hunt, kill or take quail or partridges in Chester County from February 15th to November 20th each year.  Offenders would be fined not less than $5 nor more than $25. This Act was repealed by Private Acts of 1925, Chapter 694.
8. Private Acts of 1929, Chapter 153, made it unlawful to take, catch or kill, or attempt to do so, any fur or hair bearing animal by means of a snare, steel trap, dead fall or any other device in Chester County.  Violators would be subject to a fine of not less than $15 nor more than $50.  Landowners, tenants and farmers were permitted to catch and kill these animals if they became a menace to their crops or poultry.
9. Private Acts of 1935, Chapter 160, made it unlawful to take, catch or kill, or attempt to do so, any fur-bearing animal by means of a snare, bait trap, steel trap, dead fall or other device in Chester County.  The act did not forbid catching fur bearing animals with dogs during open season, or chasing foxes with dogs at any time.  Landowners, tenants and farmers were permitted to catch and kill these animals if they were a menace to their crops or poultry.
10. Public Acts of 1972, Chapter 594, closed the Chester County coon-dog training seasons, for 1972 until August 15, 1972.  The act further stated that the coon-dog training season for 1973 would be closed from the last day of the regular coon hunting season until August 15, 1973.  Furthermore, the 1974 coon-dog training season extended to one year, closing again in 1975 until August 15, and said season would continue to rotate in this manner, (opening one year and closing the next).  This act was repealed by Chapter 9 of the Public Acts of 1985.