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

1. Public Acts of 1895, Chapter 161, made it unlawful for the next five years after passage of this act for any person to chase deer with dogs or hounds, or to shoot, wound, capture, or kill the same in Union, Anderson, Claiborne, Campbell, Cocke, Morgan, and Scott counties. Those violating this act are guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to fines of not less than $5.00 nor more than $50.00.
2. Private Acts of 1897, Chapter 276, amended the general law on the protection of fish, Public Acts of 1895, Chapter 127, so as to make it lawful to take fish from any of the streams, lakes, rivers, or ponds in Union, Wayne, Perry, Humphreys, Marshall and Campbell counties by grabbling or gig except during March, April, and May.
3. Public Acts of 1899, Chapter 333, made it unlawful for the next ten years after the passage of this act to chase deer with dogs or hounds, or to shoot, wound, capture, or kill, or attempt to do so, in Union, Anderson, Claiborne, Campbell, Cocke, Morgan, Scott, and McNairy counties. The fines were set from $10 to $50 and the proper judges would charge this act to the grand juries of their respective counties.
4. Acts of 1907, Chapter 438, made it unlawful for live stock, cattle, horses, mules, hogs, sheep, or goats to be allowed to run at large in Union County. Violators were punished with a $2.00 to $5.00 fine. The person damaged could have a lien for damages on the trespassing animals and also a lien for the cost of taking them up and caring for them until redeemed by their owner. This act did not relieve the railroads from their liability under other laws for maiming or killing animals. This act was amended by Private Acts of 1917, Chapter 314, so as to give the Union County Grand Jury inquisitorial powers over all violations of the provisions of Acts of 1907, Chapter 438.
5. Private Acts of 1915, Chapter 350, provided the manner by which fish were caught, and provided for the regulating, the gigging and shooting of fish in Union County.
6. Private Acts of 1917, Chapter 315, made it unlawful for anyone in Union County to shoot any foxes or destroy the den of any young fox, or use any trap, snare, or other device, catch, maim, or otherwise destroy or injure any such fox or foxes. This law did not apply to areas within 100 yards of any home or out building, or to killing such animals as might be a threat to poultry and livestock at or near barns or dwellings. The fines for violation were from $25 to $100. This act was repealed by Private Acts of 1919, Chapter 140.
7. Private Acts of 1919, Chapter 11, made it unlawful for five years after passage of this law to kill any partridges or quail in Union County under penalty of $5.00 to $25.00 fines for the first offense and $10 to $50 thereafter of which the prosecutor would be given one-fifth.
8. Private Acts of 1921, Chapter 405, was a long list of counties who were exempting themselves by the use of population figures from the provisions of Public Laws of 1919, Chapter 61, a statewide dog control law. Union County was among those which exempted themselves.
9. Private Acts of 1931, Chapter 547, made it unlawful for anyone in Union County to kill quail for the next three years after the passage of the act or be subject to a $10.00 to $50.00 fine for doing so.
10. Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 113, legalized fishing with a trot line, bank hook and an ordinary basket with one and one-half inch opening and with gigs in Union County.
11. Private Acts of 1945, Chapter 335, permitted Dock Smith who has been practicing veterinary surgery for more than ten years in Union County to continue to do so in that county without any further authority being needed than this act.
12. Public Acts of 1978, Chapter 157, prohibited raccoon dog and opossum dog training by chasing raccoon and opossum except during open season in Union County. This act also permitted certain dog field trials and provided penalties for violations of this act.