Private Acts of 1951 Chapter 661

COMPILER'S NOTE: Parts of this act may have been superseded by the Tennessee Anti-Rabies Law, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 68-8-101 et. seq.

SECTION 1. That in Counties of this State having a population of not less than 27,200 nor more than 27,300, by the Federal Census of 1940, or any subsequent Federal Census, no owner or any dog more than three months of age shall permit such dog to run at large unless such dog shall at the time be wearing a leather or other type of collar to which shall be attached a tag of some indestructible substance bearing the name of the owner of such dog indelibly affixed thereto in such manner as to identify the dog's owner.

Likewise, no owner of any dog more than three months of age shall permit such dog to run at large unless the same has been inoculated within the 12 months period next preceding such running at large against rabies. Such inoculation shall be evidenced by a certificate to be furnished the owner of such dog by the person inoculating the same and shall be exhibited to any peace officer of said county upon demand.

SECTION 2. That the owners of all dogs permitted to run at large in counties to which this Act applies shall be liable for any and all damages to either persons or property occasioned by said dogs, whether or not the vicious tendency of such dogs had previously manifested themselves. Any person on discovering a dog running at large and molesting or killing livestock or poultry of any character may kill or destroy such dog while so engaged in the act of molesting stock or poultry without liability therefor to the owner of such dog. Any owner of a dog violating the provisions of this Act shall upon conviction, be fined fifty dollars ($50.00).

SECTION 3. That this Act shall take effect from and after July 1st, 1951, the public welfare requiring it.

PASSED: March 14, 1951.