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 Knox County. They are included herein for reference purposes. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

1. Private Acts of 1831, Chapter 276, authorized Caleb Lowe to build a fish trap on the north side of the Clinch River at the Cumberland Ford.
2. Public Acts of 1899, Chapter 377, amended the general law to provide for the erection of "fall fish traps" in Knox County on any sluice of any river not used for navigation.
3. Private Acts of 1911, Chapter 213, authorized a monthly supplement of $50 to a humane officer, but this act was repealed by Private Acts of 1947, Chapter 56.
4. Private Acts of 1919, Chapter 222, was an act to protect foxes in Knox County, making it illegal to kill those animals or to destroy their dens. This act did provide that it was not unlawful to set traps about dwelling houses or outlying buildings in order to kill foxes who were inflicting harms on persons or livestock. This act was repealed by Private Acts of 1978, Chapter 231 in its entirety.
5. Private Acts of 1919, Chapter 568, set the open season on quail in Knox County from December 1st to February 1st of each year. This act was expressly repealed by Private Acts of 1978, Chapter 231.
6. Private Acts of 1921, Chapter 405, exempted Knox County from the general state dog law. This act was amended by Private Acts of 1978, Chapter 250, approved on April 17, 1978, by adding this language; "This act does not apply to Knox County."
7. Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 510, placed a bounty of $.50 on the head of each hawk killed within Knox County, to be upon affidavit of any hawk killer that the killing took place within the boundaries of the county. This act has been expressly repealed by Private Acts of 1978, Chapter 172.
8. Private Acts of 1945, Chapter 532, placed a bounty of $1.00 upon chicken hawks, rabbit hawks or other hawks which were injuring or destroying chicken, fowl, small animals, or song birds within Knox County. This act has been repealed by Private Acts of 1978, Chapter 178.
9. Private Acts of 1947, Chapter 56, authorized and empowered the quarterly county court in counties of this State having a population of not less than 170,000 and not more than 179,000 according to the federal census of 1940, or any subsequent federal census, to appropriate to any regularly elected or appointed officer of any society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, sometimes called Humane Society, a sum not exceeding $150 per month as compensation for his services as such officer. This act repealed all laws in conflict with this act especially the Private Acts of 1911, Chapter 213. This act is superseded by the Knox County Charter, Section 8.12 pursuant to T.C.A. § 5-1-120.
10. Private Acts of 1949, Chapter 105, required the owners of ducks, geese and chickens in counties having a population of not less than 175,000 and not more than 180,000, according to the federal census of 1940, or any subsequent federal census, to keep same on their own premises preventing them from running at large and trespassing upon the premises of others. This act is superseded by the Knox County Charter, Section 8.12 pursuant to T.C.A. § 5-1-120.
11. Private Acts of 1953, Chapter 498, declared a closed season on red foxes in Knox County. This act was repealed by Private Acts of 1978, Chapter 231.
12. Private Acts of 1955, Chapter 66, as amended by Private Acts of 1977, Chapter 19, declared a closed season upon red foxes at all times, and that red foxes may be chased with dogs at any time of the year except during such periods as may be fixed by the Wildlife Resources Commission for the protection of the species in all counties of this state having a population of not less than 223,005 and not more than 223,015 inhabitants, according to the federal census of 1950, or any subsequent federal census. This act is superseded by the Knox County Charter, Section 8.12 pursuant to T.C.A. § 5-1-120.