An Ordinance Concerning Dogs  

The canine population of Fairplay needed restriction back in 1882.   The call for a tax and the dramatic control of these new town regulations kept pet owners on their toes. The town marshal probably had some hard moments when it came to dogs he had to shoot.  

             Be it ordained by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Fairplay: 

             1. - No dog, bitch, or whelp shall be allowed to run or be at large within the limits of the town of Fairplay, unless the owner or keeper thereof shall have paid the tax and received the license hereinafter required. 

             2. – Dog tax shall be as follows: For every female dog over the age of six months, five (5) dollars; for every male dog over the age of six months, three (3) dollars; for every whelp or animal of the dog kind, of or under the age of six months, one and fifty one hundredths (1.50) dollars, and such tax shall be due and payable on or before the first day of June of the municipal year: 

             3. –  Provided , That an apportionment of the tax upon any animal brought within the town limits after the beginning of the municipal year, may be ratably, according to the number of unexpired months of said year. 

4. – The owner or keeper of any dog, bitch, or whelp within the limits of the Town of Fairplay, failing to pay the tax as hereinbefore required by the first day of June of the municipal year, or upon three days notice by the town marshal acquiring a residence after said date, shall be liable for such tax and costs, to be recovered in an action of debt.       

5. – Any dog, bitch or whelp upon which the tax prescribed as aforesaid shall be unpaid for three days after the same shall be due and demand thereof made, shall be killed by the town marshal on sight. 

6. – Any bitch or slut in heat, whether licensed or not as aforesaid, found or being at large upon the streets or elsewhere within the limits of the town, shall be killed by the town marshal on sight, and the owner or keeper thereof, if he shall knowingly have permitted the same, shall be subject to a fine of not less than five (5) dollars nor more than twenty (20) dollars. 

7. – This ordinance shall be in effect from and after May16th, A.D. 1882. 

[Town seal] George E. Pease, Mayor; John L. Gray, Clerk and Recorder