Mayor of Hagerstown v. Witmer

Citations

• 86 Md. 293
• 39 L.R.A. 649
• 37 A. 965
• 1897 Md. LEXIS 112

Syllabus

<p>Dogs— Validity of Municipal Ordinance Providing for the Killing of Dogs Running at Large—Police Power— Constitutional Law.</p> <p>Laws designed to prevent dogs from running at large in cities are within the police power of the State.</p> <p>The owner of a dog has only a qualified property therein.</p> <p>Where a municipal corporation is authorized by charter to abate nuisances and to provide for the safety and health of the community, an ordinance by it providing that dogs running at large shall be seized and impounded, and if not redeemed within twenty four hours shall be killed, after notice to the owners if known, is within the charter powers and is not unreasonable, nor is it in violation of the Constitution.</p>