July 1651: An Act against stealing or killing of Deer.

July, 1651

[24 July, 1651.]

Fifteen pound forfeiture for killing any Red or Fallow-Deer; the one moyety to the Informer, the other to the poor

Be it Enacted by this present Parliament, and the authority thereof, and it is hereby Enacted and Ordained, That if any person or persons shall from and after the first day of August, One thousand six hundred fifty one, kill, hurt or take away any Red or FallowDeer, in any Forest, Chase, or Park, or other Inclosed Ground within this Commonwealth, without the consent of the Owner or person chiefly intrusted with the custody thereof, or shall be aiding or assisting therein, and shall be convicted thereof by the confession of the party, or by the Oath of one or more credible Witnesses (before one or more Justices of the Peace, who are hereby Impowered to administer an Oath to that purpose) such person being prosecuted for such offence within three moneths after such offence done, that then every person so offending, shall forfeit for every such offence, the sum of fifteen pounds, to be levied by way of Distress upon the Goods and Chattels of every such offender, by Warrant under the Justices hand before whom such conviction shall be made; the one moyety of the said fifteen pounds to be given to the Informer, and the other moyety to the poor of the Parish where such offence shall be committed; and for want of Distress, the offender shall be committed to Prison for twelve moneths, without Bail or Mainprize. Provided, That where any offender shall be punishable by force of this Act, that he shall not be prosecuted, nor incur the penalty of any other Law or Statute for the same offence.